Impact of the early 2020 COVID-19 crisis and lockdown on PrEP use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in France
Conclusions
MSM adapted PrEP use to their sexual activity during and after the French lockdown. After the lockdown, discontinued PrEP occurred more often among MSM who had fewer sexual partners and had mental health vulnerabilities. These factors could also be predictive of PrEP discontinuation in a more general context. PrEP users should be informed on how to safely stop/start PrEP and on the use of other prevention tools to reduce potential risk exposure during PrEP discontinuation. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Di Ciaccio, M., Villes, V., Michels, D., Morel, S., Delabre, R. M., Rojas Castro, D., Velter, A. Tags: COVID-19 Original research Source Type: research
Vaginal microbiota in ethnically diverse young women who did or did not develop pelvic inflammatory disease: community-based prospective study
Conclusions
In the first-ever community-based prospective study of PID, there was no clear association between the vaginal microbiome and subsequent development of PID. Future studies using serial samples may identify vaginal microbial communities that may predispose to PID. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Kerry-Barnard, S., Zhou, L., Phillips, L., Furegato, M., Witney, A. A., Sadiq, S. T., Oakeshott, P. Tags: Open access Original research Source Type: research
Mental health and implications for antiretroviral adherence in a multiethnic Asian cohort
Conclusion
Significant psychological distress occurring early in HIV care predicts future non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention for psychological distress in people living with HIV. Mental health interventions should be intercalated with treatment adherence interventions to improve HIV treatment outcomes. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Dhaliwal, J. S., Chan, L. G., Goh, J. C. B., Koh, K. H. E., Wong, C. S. Tags: Open access Original research Source Type: research
Association between rectal gonorrhoea and HIV incidence in men who have sex with men: a meta-analysis
Background
Incidence of rectal gonorrhoea (GC) has been hypothesised as a correlate of HIV exposure in prevention trials of men who have sex with men (MSM). High rectal GC incidence in MSM trials of new biomedical prevention drugs may provide supportive evidence for ongoing HIV risk. Empirical evidence of correlation between rectal GC and HIV incidence is needed to assess whether high rectal GC rates reliably correlate with high risk of HIV.
Methods
Rectal GC and HIV are routinely tested in sexual health clinics (SHCs) throughout England. Through routine surveillance data collected at visits to SHCs, we assessed HIV incid...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Donnell, D., Zewdie, K., Ratna, N., Miller, V., Saunders, J. M., Gill, O. N., Delpech, V., Mohammed, H. Tags: Open access, Editor's choice Original research Source Type: research
Prevalence of curable STIs and bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Conclusion
The prevalence of curable STIs and BV in sub-Saharan Africa is substantial in pregnant women but most prevalent in Southern Africa where HIV prevalence is highest. It is crucial to integrate screening of curable STIs into antenatal care programmes that have previously focused on diagnosis and treatment of syphilis and HIV. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Nyemba, D. C., Haddison, E. C., Wang, C., Johnson, L. F., Myer, L., Davey, D. J. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Demographics and incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma in people living in high HIV prevalence geographical areas
Conclusions
Patients presenting with ASCC in high HIV geographical areas have different demographics to patients presenting in average HIV geographical areas. This may be related to screening programmes for PLWH in high HIV areas. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Brogden, D. R. L., Kontovounisios, C., Mandalia, S., Tekkis, P., Mills, S. C. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Impacts of COVID-19 on sexual behaviour in Britain: findings from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID)
Conclusions
Our quasi-representative study of the British population found a substantial minority reported significant shifts in sexual repertoires, frequency and satisfaction following the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions. However, these negative changes were perceived by some more than others; predominantly those not cohabiting and the young. As these groups are most likely to experience adverse sexual health, it is important to monitor behaviour as restrictions ease to understand the longer term consequences, including for health services. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - October 21, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Mercer, C. H., Clifton, S., Riddell, J., Tanton, C., Freeman, L., Copas, A. J., Dema, E., Boso Perez, R., Gibbs, J., Macdowall, W., Menezes, D., Ridge, M.-C., Bonell, C., Sonnenberg, P., Field, N., Mitchell, K. R. Tags: Open access, COVID-19 Original research Source Type: research
Bacterial Special Interest Group Outputs: Provision of digital educational resources for Microscopy of STIs and Position Statement on inappropriate testing and treatment
The Bacterial Special Interest Group (BSIG) was founded to promote communication between all healthcare professionals with an interest in bacterial STIs working in sexual health. A range of activities undertaken by the BSIG includes production1 2 and reviewing guidelines and presentations at educational events. Here we showcase two recent projects. Provision of educational resources for microscopy of STIs has been a focus of the BSIG, with the 1-day course, which has been running for over 25 years and the publication of a laboratory manual in 2001 and subsequently a DVD in 2009. Conversion of the content of the manual and ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Soni, S., Ison, C. A. Tags: BASHH column Source Type: research
Research news in clinical context
Immunogenicity following CoronaVac vaccination among people living with HIV is strong but reduced among those with low CD4 counts Evidence on the safety and immunogenicity of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in people with HIV remains limited. This Brazilian cohort study followed 215 people living with HIV (89% with viral load <50 copies/mL, 70% with CD4 cell count ≥500 cells/mm3) and 296 people with no known immunosuppression who were given two CoronaVac doses 28 days apart. Six weeks after the second vaccine dose, people living with HIV had good overall antibody responses, although compared with people with no known...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Rusconi, S., Solomon, D., Raffe, S., Daskalopoulou, M. Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research
Bacterial Special Interest Group activities
The Bacterial Special Interest Group (BSIG) was founded to promote communication between all healthcare professionals with an interest in bacterial STIs working in sexual health. A range of activities undertaken by the BSIG includes production1 2 and reviewing guidelines and presentations at educational events. Here we showcase two recent projects. Provision of educational resources for microscopy of STIs has been a focus of the BSIG, with the 1-day course, which has been running for over 25 years and the publication of a laboratory manual in 2001 and subsequently a DVD in 2009. Conversion of the content of the manual and ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Soni, S., Ison, C. A. Tags: BASHH column Source Type: research
Correspondence on 'Pulmonary endocarditis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a patient living with HIV by Cabras et al
Dear Editor, A 49-year-old heterosexual man was admitted after three episodes of loss of consciousness. He had received a diagnosis of HIV infection in 2002 and was virologically suppressed on Biktarvy (CD4 count 499/mm3, nadir 302/mm3). Medical history comprised Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis and mitral valve replacement in 2011, followed by daily warfarin. The same year, he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis secondary to acute otitis. No history of intravenous drug use was known. On admission, he reported night sweats for 1 week. His temperature was 36.9°C, blood pressure 137/96 mm Hg and heart rate 85 per m...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Cabras, O., Turmel, J.-M., Rami, A., Cuzin, L. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research
Correspondence on 'Sexually transmitted infections during the first 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic in Finland by Kuitunen et al
Social restrictions did not reduce Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) detections in Finland during the first 6 months of the pandemic.1 We explored the incidences of laboratory-confirmed CT, NG and Treponema pallidum (TP) findings from March 2020 to February 2022. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) was used in comparisons. We included a total of 103 292 CT, 3384 NG and 1407 TP detections (). There was minimal monthly variation in CT incidence (figure 1). During the second pandemic year, NG detections were higher in both groups (IRR 1.1, CI 1.0 to 1.3; IRR 1.2, CI 1.1 to 1.4) especially in the late 2021 (figur...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Kuitunen, I., Ponkilainen, V., Mattila, V. M., Uimonen, M. M. Tags: COVID-19 PostScript Source Type: research
Case of penile white sponge nevus repeatedly treated as genital wart
We describe the case of a 16-year-old boy who attended with an asymptomatic, white and velvety plaque on his penis shaft (figure 1), which had been treated as a genital wart with cryotherapy, electrocautery and cidofovir cream since childhood. Following a biopsy, based on the histological findings, a diagnosis of white sponge nevus (WSN) was made. WSN is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with irregular penetrance and a benign course without treatment.1 It typically affects mucous membranes, particularly the oral cavity, where it can mimic infectious, inflammatory and pre-malignant lesions.2 The whitish appearance on non-k...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Giacalone, S., Boggio, F. L., Marzano, A. V., Cusini, M. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research
Varicella vaccination in a patient with recurrent genital herpes
Dear Editor, A 26-year-old woman consented to take part in an ongoing, case–control study investigating whether varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG titres are associated with the likelihood of experiencing symptomatic Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection. The study is to inform future research on using vaccination against VZV as a pathway to a possible HSV functional cure. She had an 8-year history of recurring genital herpes, with an average of two episodes per month. At the last recurrence, a genital swab was positive for HSV-2. Type-specific serology indicated the presence of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG. HIV antibodies ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Palmer, B. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research
Correspondence on 'HIV transmission and previous PrEP awareness and use in men who have sex with men in Brighton, UK
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy for people at-risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Studies from the USA/Australia describe MSM who had recently seroconverted had used PrEP inconsistently or had faced barriers to accessing and taking PrEP.1 2 We aimed to assess prior PrEP awareness and access in MSM with newly diagnosed HIV between 2017 and 2020. We identified 59 MSM, including 1 transgender man, who were newly diagnosed with HIV. The median age was 42 years (IQR: 31–50), the majority were of white ethnicity (54/59, 91.5%) and most were UK born (55/5...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - August 22, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Norcross, C., Fitzpatrick, C., Richardson, D. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research
