Increased risk of subsequent chlamydia infection among women not tested at the anorectal anatomical location
Conclusion
The results are suggestive of an autoinoculation process from the anorectal to the genital anatomical site in women. To enhance chlamydia control, future studies on the role of extragenital testing and autoinoculation in chlamydia transmission are needed. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - July 25, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Visser, M., Dvorakova, M., van Aar, F., Heijne, J. C. M. Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research
An update from the HPV specialist interest group on behalf of BASHH
Since the introduction of the HPV vaccination programme for school girls in 2008 (extended to boys in 2019), a high vaccine coverage (80%–90%) has led to significant reductions in CIN3 and cervical cancer in England (by 97% and 87%, respectively).1 Since 2014, there has also been a substantial and sustained reduction in the incidence of anogenital warts (AGW), likely attributable to the change from the bivalent (Cervarix) to the quadrivalent (Gardasil-4) HPV vaccine in the school-based programme.2 The most marked decline has been described in females aged 15–17, in whom the incidence of first-episode AGW was 95...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bayley, J., Nugent, D. Tags: BASHH column Source Type: research
Research news in clinical context
COVID-19 pandemic in Britain: creating a backlog of need for young people and those reporting sexual risk behaviours Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services rapidly adjusted to meet restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A British cross-sectional web questionnaire surveyed 6654 participants about accessing SRH services in the lockdown period March–July 2020. Among 3108 sexually experienced participants aged 18–44 years, 21% reported using SRH services but nearly 10% described being unable to access services at least once. Compared with participants aged 35–44 years, men and women aged 18–2...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Armstrong, H., Thomson-Glover, R., Villa, G. Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research
False-positive TPPA and TRUST syphilis test results in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome and monoclonal immunoglobulinaemia
A 56-year-old woman presented to our hospital service with headache and neck and shoulder pain. She was eventually diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome and monoclonal immunoglobulinaemia of unknown significance (MGUS). The Treponema pallidum (TP) particle agglutination assay (TPPA) and syphilis toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST) were positive with TPPA 1:20 480 and TRUST 1:131 072. HIV and hepatitis tests were negative. Previous medical history included four miscarriages for unknown causes. No skin rash or other abnormalities suggestive of syphilis were observed. Her spouse was healthy and showed negative syphil...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Liu, G.-L., Zhou, X.-Y., Dong, R.-J., Cao, Y.-K., Albarmaqi, R. A., Li, Y.-Y. Tags: Open access PostScript Source Type: research
Chemsex, sexual behaviour and STI-PrEP use among HIV-PrEP users during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brighton, UK
The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions have been associated with changes in use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP), use of doxycycline as STI-PrEP and sexual behaviour including chemsex behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM).1 2 As part of a local service needs assessment for the provision of services for MSM using PrEP and MSM engaging in chemsex, we asked MSM to complete a short anonymous online electronic survey after their PrEP monitoring appointment. Of the 269 MSM who attended for HIV-PrEP monitoring between May and June 2021, 109 (41%) completed the survey: 105 cis-men and 4 transg...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Ringshall, M., Cooper, R., Rawdah, W., Perera, S., Bannister, A., Nichols, K., Fitzpatrick, C., Richardson, D. Tags: COVID-19 Research letter Source Type: research
Video-based HIV testing services among cisgender men who have sex with men as a component of an HIV behavioural surveillance study during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City: implementation, feasibility and lessons learned
HIV self-testing (HIVST) provides an opportunity for overcoming barriers to in-person HIV testing, and it has been shown to be generally preferable among populations at increased risk for HIV1 and effective in increasing HIV testing uptake.2–4 Within research, HIVST has mostly been incorporated into studies that aim to increase HIV testing uptake and less frequently in studies that aim to verify HIV status. Barriers to using HIVST as a method to confirm HIV status include missing data due to reliance on self-report and challenges to verifying self-report.5 HIVST through videoconferencing (video-based HIVST) may overc...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Rivera, A., Martinez, P., Braunstein, S. Tags: COVID-19 Research letter Source Type: research
Contribution of men who have sex with men (MSM) attending due to contact tracing to the diagnoses of HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea in MSM from a clinic-based population
Conclusion
Contact tracing contributes significantly to the overall diagnoses of HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea including asymptomatic sexual contacts in our population. Further efforts to increase the yield from contact tracing may continue to reduce the burden of HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea within sexual networks of MSM. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Samarasekara, K., Ringshall, M., Parashar, K., Pickering, A., Buss, Z., Nichols, K., Devlin, J., Fitzpatrick, C., Williams, D., Richardson, D. Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Longitudinal uptake of the human papillomavirus vaccine among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in British Columbia, Canada 2012-2019
Conclusions
Although we observed increases in HPV vaccination uptake from 2012, by 2019 HPV vaccination still remained below 30% among gbMSM in Vancouver, BC. Additional interventions are needed to increase vaccine uptake. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Khatra, J., Sang, J. M., Wang, C., Bacani, N., Lachowsky, N. J., Grennan, T., Burchell, A. N., Lal, A., Roth, E., Hogg, R., Card, K., Moore, D. Tags: Short reports Source Type: research
Patient delivered partner therapy for chlamydia infection is used by some general practitioners, but more support is needed to increase uptake: findings from a mixed-methods study
Conclusion
GPs appear to accept the place of PDPT as targeted to those who may otherwise not access testing or treatment. Availability of health authority guidance appears to have supported some GPs to incorporate PDPT into their practice. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Goller, J. L., Coombe, J., Bittleston, H., Bourne, C., Bateson, D., Vaisey, A., Tomnay, J., O'Donnell, H., Garret, C., Estcourt, C. S., Temple-Smith, M., Hocking, J. S. Tags: Health services research Source Type: research
Lessons learnt from syphilis-infected blood donors: a timely reminder of missed opportunities
Conclusions
This observational study shows that syphilis infection remains undiagnosed, especially among heterosexual men, and that infectious syphilis is often missed as a differential diagnosis even when donors have presented with genital or oral ulceration, rashes in the genital area and lymphadenopathy. Considering the recent resurgence of syphilis infections in the UK and beyond and our generally expanding sexual networks, it is important to consider syphilis in differential diagnosis even if specific risk factors have not been identified. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Harvala, H., Reynolds, C., Fabiana, A., Tossell, J., Bulloch, G., Brailsford, S., Blackmore, S., Pomeroy, L. Tags: Clinical Source Type: research
Prevalence of hepatitis B immunity and infection in home self-sampling HIV service users
Conclusions
Among MSM and heterosexual users of a self-sampling HIV service, evidence of immunisation to HBV infection was low and susceptibility to infection was comparatively high, suggesting suboptimal delivery of HBV immunisation in sexual health services. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Roche, R., Simmons, R., Logan, L., Ledesma, J., Sabin, C., Ijaz, S., Mandal, S. Tags: Open access Epidemiology Source Type: research
The clinical indications for testing women for Mycoplasma genitalium
Conclusions
MG was as common as CT among women attending MSHC. MG was not associated with genital symptoms, but like CT, was significantly associated with cervicitis. These data provide evidence that routine testing for MG in women with common genital symptoms is not indicated. The presence of macrolide resistance in 48% of women supports use of resistance-guided therapy. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Latimer, R. L., Vodstrcil, L. A., Plummer, E. L., Doyle, M., Murray, G. L., Fairley, C. K., Bodiyabadu, K., Read, T. R. H., Kaiser, M., Mokany, E., Guy, R., Chow, E. P. F., Bradshaw, C. Tags: Editor's choice Clinical Source Type: research
Examining inequities in rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal STIs in a large nationwide cohort study of sexual minority men
Conclusions
Stratified analyses showed differential rates of HIV infection at the intersection of racial and ethnic groups with other characteristics, particularly insurance status and incarceration history, pointing to structural inequities rather than individual behaviours underlying disproportionately high rates of HIV for Black and Latino SMM. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Rendina, H. J., Talan, A., Sizemore, K. M., Tavella, N. F., Salfas, B., Shalhav, O., Westmoreland, D., Mustanski, B., Rodriguez-Diaz, C. E. Tags: Open access Epidemiology Source Type: research
Who is providing HIV diagnostic testing? Comparing HIV testing by general practitioners and sexual health centres in five regions in the Netherlands, 2011-2018
Conclusions
This retrospective observational study shows that besides SHCs, who perform opt-out testing for key groups, GPs play a prominent role in HIV testing, especially in non-key populations, such as women and older individuals. Large regional variation exists, requiring region-specific interventions to improve GPs’ HIV testing practices. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bogers, S. J., Twisk, D. E., Beckers, L. M., Götz, H. M., Meima, B., Kroone, M., Hoornenborg, E., Ott, A., Luning-Koster, M. N., Dukers-Muijrers, N. H. T. M., Hoebe, C. J. P. A., Kampman, C. J. G., Bosma, F., Schim van der Loeff, M., Geerlings, S. Tags: Open access Health services research Source Type: research
Patterns of anxiety and distress over 12 months following participation in HPV primary screening
Conclusions
Our findings suggest the initial adverse impact of an HPV-positive screening result on anxiety and distress diminishes over time. Specific concerns about the result may be longer lasting and efforts should be made to address them. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Marlow, L. A. V., McBride, E., Ridout, D., Forster, A. S., Kitchener, H., Waller, J. Tags: Open access Health services research Source Type: research
