Prevalence and risk factors for anogenital HPV infection and neoplasia among women living with HIV in China
Conclusions
Cervical and anal HPV were strongly correlated and, together with associated neoplasia, were highly prevalent among WLHIV in China. Early initiation of cART to avoid severe immunodeficiency should decrease anogenital HPV prevalence and related cancer burden among WLHIV. Incorporating anogenital cancer prevention services into HIV/AIDS care is warranted. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Duan, R., Zhang, H., Wu, A., Li, C., Li, L., Xu, X., Qiao, Y., Zhao, F., Clifford, G. Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Efficacy of a carrageenan gel in preventing anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: interim analysis of the Lubricant Investigation in Men to Inhibit Transmission of HPV Infection (LIMIT-HPV) randomised controlled trial
Conclusions
The interim analysis did not demonstrate a protective effect of carrageenan on the risk of new detections of anal HPV infection among gbMSM. Carrageenan gel use was associated with a higher proportion of adverse events. Given these findings and the (assumed) low probability that a beneficial effect would be found by the study’s end, the trial was terminated as recommended by the Data Safety and Monitoring Board.
Trial registration number
NCT02354144. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Laurie, C., El-Zein, M., Tota, J. E., Khosrow-Khavar, F., Tellier, P.-P., Coutlee, F., de Pokomandy, A., Franco, E. L., for the LIMIT-HPV study group, Rodrigues, Morykon, Rodrigues, Bouten, Shapiro, Tsyruk, Leblanc, Trottier, Castro, Proulx-Boucher, Theri Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research
Correction: From late Sunday evening meetings to the formation of a special interest group for racially minoritised populations
This article has been corrected since it was first published. The title has been updated. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Tags: Correction Source Type: research
Research news in clinical context
Treatment regimens for HIV or Hepatitis C Virus do not need to be altered during Paxlovid administration for COVID-19 Treatment with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 300/100 mg two times per day for 5 days) is expected to play an important role in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at risk of disease progression. Nirmatrelvir targets the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease, whereas ritonavir acts as a pharmacological enhancer. Paxlovid is an inhibitor of CYP3A (Cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A) and may increase plasma concentrations of drugs that are primarily metabolised by CYP3A. Guidance has been released to indi...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Rusconi, S., Shields, K. E., Arias, A., Raffe, S., Daskalopoulou, M. Tags: COVID-19 Perspectives Source Type: research
BASHH updated position statement on doxycycline as prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections
In 2017, BASHH and Public Health England, now the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published a position statement on the use of doxycycline as prophylaxis for STIs.1 It advised ‘extreme caution in the use of doxycycline [as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)]...[and] that the use of doxycycline PEP should be restricted to the research setting’. However, increasingly evidence suggests that individuals at higher risk of acquiring bacterial STIs are already using antibiotics to prevent acquisition, accessed through several routes.2–5 Clinicians are therefore likely to be seeing patients who are self-sourcing ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Kohli, M., Medland, N., Fifer, H., Saunders, J. Tags: Open access BASHH column Source Type: research
Failure of on-demand pre-exposure prophylaxis: the risk of HIV drug resistance
Dear Editor, A man aged 32 years who self-described as men who have sex with men (MSM) started on-demand pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine/tenofovir (FTC/TDF) based on reporting 30 partners within the last 24 weeks, not using condoms in 50% of sex acts, use of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid during sex and previous STI diagnoses (Smith score=37).1 Over 1 year, we conducted 3-monthly STI screening and HIV-RNA testing. He tested HIV-negative at months 0, 3, 6 and 9. At month 12, he reported missing a single PrEP dose 1 month earlier due to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid use; we formed the impression that more doses mig...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Raccagni, A. R., Bruzzesi, E., Gianotti, N., Sampaolo, M., Canetti, D., Castagna, A., Nozza, S. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research
Disseminated gonococcal infection: a potential marker of failing sexually transmitted infection control and prevention services
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected routine STI testing leading to undiagnosed and untreated infections,1 a new obstacle among a series of issues related to STI control in the USA.2 In November 2020, the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) cited reports of disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) as a result of "... people not seeking care or getting routine testing during the COVID-19 pandemic".1 AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)—a non-profit organisation providing free walk-in STI services—conducted a retrospective cohort review of all patients who tested gonorrhoea positive at its...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Patani, H., Sukhija-Cohen, A., Klausner, J. D., Engeran, W., Weinstein, M. Tags: Open access PostScript Source Type: research
Syphilitic paronychia: a diagnostic challenge
A 28-year- old HIV-negative male patient presented with a 2-month history of painful inflamed nodules on the tip of his left index and right third finger (figure 1). A biopsy showed an inflammatory infiltrate with plasma cells; immunohistochemistry revealed abundant spirochetes in a mixed perivascular and intercellular pattern (figure 1). Rapid plasma reagin (1:256) and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption were positive. A diagnosis of primary syphilis with persistent primary chancres was made. Involvement of the fingers has been reported in all syphilis stages but is rare; both the nail plate and periungual tissues ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Marcantonio, O., Lopez-Castillo, D., Pujol, R. M., Martin-Ezquerra, G. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Increase of early syphilis cases during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
The COVID-19 pandemic reached the Czech Republic in March 2020, leading to three national lockdowns over the following 12 months. We analysed monthly diagnoses of gonorrhoea and syphilis in a large tertiary care centre in Prague during March 2020–February 2021 relative to the monthly average of the previous 4 years (March 2016–February 2020) (figure 1). After an initial slight decrease, there was an increase in confirmed cases of early syphilis in the second half of 2020. These results differ from those described in some other European countries.1 The increase in early syphilis cases may reflect non-compliance ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bizova, B., Rob, F., Tresnak Hercogova, J. Tags: COVID-19 Research letter Source Type: research
Anogenital molluscum contagiosum: treatment choices
We conducted a retrospective audit in our large level 3 sexual health clinic in London on management options considered for molluscum contagiosum for the first hundred patients treated in 2019. Topical podophyllotoxin and cryotherapy were the most preferred first-line management—podophyllotoxin 41%, cryotherapy 18%, expectant management 13%, imiquimod 2%, mixed therapy of topical drug and cryotherapy 26% (imiquimod and cryotherapy 2%, podophyllotoxin and cryotherapy 24%). The outcome was compared between 41 cases treated with only cryotherapy at the first visit and the first 41 cases treated with only topical podophy...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Sivaraj, V., Ahamed, A., Gurung, M., Menon-Johansson, A. S. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Predictive value of neurological symptoms in persons with suspected neurosyphilis
Treponema pallidum is detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in up to 30% of individuals with early syphilis.1 An ongoing challenge in accurate diagnoses of neurosyphilis (NS) is variable symptomatology at presentation. Often, individuals with reactive syphilis serology and neurological symptoms are empirically treated for neurosyphilis. We previously described the utility of CSF Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination (TPPA) titres in the diagnosis of NS.2 Here, we assess the utility of presenting neurological symptoms in the diagnosis of NS. Data on individuals whom a diagnosis of NS was being considered and a CSF e...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Shiva, F., Short, C.-E., Goldmeier, D., Winston, A. Tags: Research letter Source Type: research
Adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes associated with Mycoplasma genitalium: systematic review and meta-analysis
Conclusion
M. genitalium might be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Further prospective studies, with adequate control for confounding, are needed to understand the role of M. genitalium in adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is insufficient evidence to indicate routine testing and treatment of asymptomatic M. genitalium in pregnancy.
PROSPERO registration number
CRD42016050962. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Frenzer, C., Egli-Gany, D., Vallely, L. M., Vallely, A. J., Low, N. Tags: Open access, Editor's choice Review Source Type: research
Safeguarding teenagers in a sexual health service during the COVID-19 pandemic
Conclusions
There was a reduction in consultations for all age groups examined in the 6 months following lockdown. This adds to the evidence that restrictions during lockdown are barriers to young people accessing SHSs. For those who did have a consultation, safeguarding assessments were consistently carried out. Nevertheless, due to reduced contact overall, it is likely that some safeguarding issues remain undisclosed. Multiagency safeguarding networks and telephone consultations with a low threshold for promoting an in-person consultation facilitated access to the SHS and a robust safeguarding pathway during the constrai...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Bekaert, S., Azzopardi, L. Tags: COVID-19 Health services research Source Type: research
Detection of markers predictive of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium from patients attending sexual health services
Conclusions
Mutations associated with resistance to macrolides were very frequent. By contrast, susceptibility to the second-line treatment, moxifloxacin (a fluoroquinolone), was estimated at 92% based on the absence of resistance-associated mutations. The few specimens with mutations of unknown clinical significance in the parC gene were excluded from the analysis and so the actual level of fluoroquinolone susceptibility may be slightly lower than that reported here. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in M. genitalium is imperative for this to remain a treatable infection. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Day, M. J., Cole, M. J., Fifer, H., Woodford, N., Pitt, R. Tags: Clinical Source Type: research
Substance use treatment partially mitigates association between methamphetamine use and STI risk: findings from the NSDUH cohort
Conclusion
In this analysis, we demonstrated a strong relationship between methamphetamine use and risk of STIs that differed based on receipt of substance use treatment. These findings suggested that integrated STI and substance use treatment programmes may yield substantial public health benefits. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - April 12, 2022 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Sherman, J. P., Dyar, C., Morgan, E. Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research
