Research news in clinical context
Worldwide STI burden and trends from 1990 to 2019 Investigators modelled STI data extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, focusing on syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomonas and genital herpes. Although most countries showed a decrease in the age-standardised incidence rate of STIs, incident cases increased over time, possibly reflecting growth in sexually active populations and scaling up of STI testing. Globally, there were 48 677 million incident cases of STIs in 1990 vs 76 985 million in 2019. The highest burden was in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; chlamydia and gonorrhoea al...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Villa, G., Armstrong, H., Arias, A., Daskalopoulou, M. Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research
E-learning for specialist training in sexual health and HIV: reflecting on 10 years of eHIV-STI
eHIV-STI is part of e-learning for healthcare (elfh) and was developed in 2012 by Health Education England, BASHH and the Royal College of Physicians.1 2 Users are able to self-register for the elfh e-learning hub in the UK using an NHS email address or Open Athens. The programme is also available via the NHS electronic staff record and internationally via eIntegrity.3 It is used by UK specialty registrars in genitourinary medicine (GUM) to prepare them for the BASHH STI/HIV course and then subsequently for their required diplomas in GUM and HIV medicine. eHIV-STI is also used by other staff groups. From 1 January to 25 Ju...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Evans-Jones, J., Garrahan, L., Taylor, R., Crook, E. Tags: BASHH column Source Type: research
Prophylactic use of antibiotics for sexually transmitted infections: awareness and use among HIV PrEP users in Belgium
Doxycycline prophylaxis has been shown to reduce the incidence of chlamydia and syphilis infections in various studies, but researchers are worried about increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).1 Although not currently recommended, STI prophylaxis has been reported in high-risk men who have sex with men, with proportions ranging from 2% to 10%.2 We assessed the awareness and use of STI prophylaxis among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users in Belgium in a nested cross-sectional online survey in December 2021 and January 2022. Participants were recruited through social media, HIV reference centres and social/sexual networki...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Vanbaelen, T., Reyniers, T., Rotsaert, A., Vuylsteke, B., Florence, E., Kenyon, C., De Baetselier, I. Tags: Open access PostScript Source Type: research
HIV-pre-exposure prophylaxis in HIV-negative men who have sex with men and transgender women presenting with a proctitis
Sexually transmitted proctitis is associated with HIV transmission in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW).1 2 In our clinic-based, cross-sectional study from Brighton UK, 152 MSM/TGW attended with a proctitis between January and May 2021 (gonorrhoea=69, chlamydia=74, herpes simplex virus=3, syphilis=1, Mycoplasma genitalium=0, coinfections=0) and 85 (56%, 95% CI=47.6% to 64.0%) MSM/TGW with a proctitis were using HIV HIV-PrEP (78% daily dosing). One MSM/TGW not using HIV-PrEP was diagnosed with HIV. MSM/TGW not using HIV-PrEP were significantly younger than HIV-PrEP users (27 years vs 33 years, p=0....
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bates, M., Norcross, C., Saddler, F., Fitzpatrick, C., Richardson, D. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Perspectives on trans-specific sexual health needs based on a free anonymous Online HIV/STI Risk Test (ORT) survey in Germany
A meta-analysis estimated the worldwide prevalence of HIV among transgender individuals at 19.1% and found a 48.8-fold increase in the odds of HIV infection compared with non-transgender adults of reproductive age.1 2 Despite such disparities, HIV and STI research has historically grouped transgenders with men who have sex with men (MSM) or excluded them from studies altogether, thus limiting the information available on the social and behavioural factors that increase HIV vulnerability among transindividuals and how these factors may differ from MSM.3 STIs are often associated with stigma, stereotyping, vulnerability and ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Skaletz-Rorowski, A., Nambiar, S., Basilowski, M., Wach, J., Kayser, A., Kasper, A., Brockmeyer, N., Potthoff, A. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Condyloma acuminata in under-represented groups: an All of Us database analysis
Introduction The burden of condyloma acuminata (CA) among under-represented groups has not been examined in a US-based epidemiological study. The new National Institutes of Health All of Us (AoU) Research Programme aims to gather health data from one million or more people living in the USA to elucidate health disparities, particularly in communities who have been historically excluded from biomedical research.1 Inclusion criteria are adults over 18 years with the capacity to consent.1 AoU defines under-represented groups prioritised for analysis based not only on race/ethnicity but also on age (≥75 years), disability (...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Moseley, I., Ragi, S. D., Ouellette, S., Rao, B. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Establishing the characteristics of pregnant women with syphilis to inform targeted interventions to reduce congenital syphilis
This study was undertaken to identify the characteristics of women testing positive for syphilis in pregnancy across Barnsley and Wakefield between January 2016 and January 2021. A literature review of potential strategies to prevent congenital syphilis was also undertaken. The project used routinely collected and anonymised data. Therefore, it is a service review with... (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Heath, E., Bates, S., Green, T. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Young people seeking sexual health care but not returning for results
We report a cross-sectional study to describe the cascade of care (number tested, diagnosed, treated) for youngsters (18 years) attending Free HIV and STI Information, Screening and Diagnosis Clinics (CeGIDD) in Paris for consultation on STIs. HIV, serology or rapid test, anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBcorAb, Chlamydia, Gonococci and Mycoplasma specimens for PCR were collected as part of the routine approach at STI diagnosis. Syphilis serology was performed only in patients with more than 10 partners each year, migrants and men who have sex with men. CeGIDD was totally free of charge. The interval between first attendance and ava...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Kyrychenko, T., Valin, N., Chiarabini, T., Boukli, N., Decre, D., Gozlan, J., Phuong, N., Lalande, V., Morand-Joubert, L., Bonneton, M., Lacombe, K. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Improved rapid diagnostic tests to detect syphilis and yaws: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Conclusions
RDTs that can differentiate between active and previously treated infections could optimise management by providing same-day treatment and reducing unnecessary treatment.
PROSPERO registration number
CRD42021279587. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Zhang, Y., Goh, S. M., Mello, M. B., Baggaley, R. C., Wi, T., Johnson, C. C., Asiedu, K. B., Marks, M., Pham, M. D., Fairley, C. K., Chow, E. P. F., Mitja, O., Toskin, I., Ballard, R. C., Ong, J. J. Tags: Open access Review Source Type: research
Which interventions improve HPV vaccination uptake and intention in children, adolescents and young adults? An umbrella review
Conclusion
The evidence suggests that there is no single solution to increasing vaccination uptake and that different approaches may be better suited to certain populations. However, generalisations are limited by poor reporting and a paucity of studies beyond the USA. Further high-quality studies, therefore, are needed to understand how best to increase HPV vaccination uptake in different target populations. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bennett, C., Edwards, D., Sherman, S. M., Baker, P., Waheed, D.-e.-N., Vorsters, A., Sarıca Cevik, H., Karafillakis, E., Prue, G., Kelly, D. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Complex PrEP: the factors requiring consultant-led review of PrEP users
We present a retrospective case note review of the PrEP review clinic with descriptive outcomes from 26 January 2018 to 20 December 2019. Reason for referral, demographics, PrEP management and PrEP discontinuations were recorded.
Results
13 980 unique users accessed PrEP from 56DS during the two year evaluation period. 220 individuals were seen in the PrEP review clinic. Majority of patients were referred for renal issues (114 of 220, 51.8%), followed by side effects (59 of 220, 26.8%) and comorbidities (38 of 220, 17.2%). Of those with renal issues, 89 (out of 114, 78.1%) users were referred for an abnormal estimated glo...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Tittle, V., Dalton, R., Nugent, D., Girometti, N., Whitlock, G., Mcowan, A., McCormack, S., on behalf of the Dean Street Collaborative Group, Mcowan, Nugent, Whitlock, Gedela, Girometti, Patel, McCormack, Suchak, Tittle Tags: Open access Short reports Source Type: research
Factors associated with stigma related to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among men who have sex with men (MSM)
Conclusion
Participants who reported being transgender or gender non-conforming, having a history of injection drug use, or having mental health concerns were more likely to report experiencing PrEP-related stigma. It is crucial to develop culturally appropriate interventions to reduce PrEP-related stigma among populations who are at high risk of HIV infection and may benefit strongly from improved PrEP uptake. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bhatta, D. N., Hecht, J., Facente, S. N. Tags: Short reports Source Type: research
High proportions of rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases among cisgender men are missed using current CDC screening recommendations
Conclusions
The proportion of missed rectal and pharyngeal CT/NG infections is high. Our data from a sexual health clinic lend support to three-site opt-out testing for cisgender men attending a sexual health/Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) specialty clinic regardless of their sexual orientation or reported sexual behaviours. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Assaf, R. D., Cunningham, N. J., Adamson, P. C., Jann, J. T., Bolan, R. K. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Universal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) testing of rectal chlamydia in men who have sex with men and detection of asymptomatic LGV
Conclusion
Universal LGV testing of all positive rectal chlamydia samples in MSM compared with selective testing led to the detection of asymptomatic rectal LGV, which constituted 34% of rectal LGV cases. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Hughes, Y., Chen, M. Y., Fairley, C. K., Hocking, J. S., Williamson, D., Ong, J. J., De Petra, V., Chow, E. P. F. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Risk factors for placental human papillomavirus infection
Conclusions
HPV was frequently detected in the placenta of women who delivered vaginally and may be associated with host immune response characteristics. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - November 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Niyibizi, J., Mayrand, M.-H., Audibert, F., Monnier, P., Brassard, P., Laporte, L., Lacaille, J., Zahreddine, M., Bedard, M.-J., Girard, I., Francoeur, D., Carceller, A. M., Lacroix, J., Fraser, W., Coutlee, F., Trottier, H., The HERITAGE study group, Tro Tags: Original research Source Type: research
