Comparison of the urinary microbiome in men who have sex with men with and without Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

PURPOSE: The urinary tract is colonized by microbial communities that impact urinary health. Previous studies have suggested that the bacterial composition of the male urinary microbiota is related to STIs. This study assessed the bacterial composition of the urinary microbiome in South African MSM with and without C. trachomatis. METHODS: This study used urine samples from MSM attending care at the King Edward VIII hospital and the Aurum Institute in Durban, South Africa. A total of 200 samples were tested for C. trachomatis infection using the Applied Biosystems™ TaqMan® Assays. Urinary microbiomes of 23 samples were characterized using 16 S rRNA (V3 and V4) gene sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. RESULTS: Bacterial taxonomic analysis showed a high abundance of Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, and Staphylococcus in all the sequenced samples. Moreover, Prevotella and Lactobacillus were detected in urine samples of MSM. Alpha diversity metrics showed a slight increase in microbial diversity in C. trachomatis positive samples; however, this was not significant (ANOVA, P > 0.05). Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed that the microbiome of C. trachomatis infected MSM was not clearly different from those uninfected. Distinct bacterial communities were not detected between positive and negative samples (PERMANOVA F1,22= 1.0284, R2 = 0.047%, P = 0.385). CONCLUSION: Most microbiome studies on MSM to date have focused on the gut microenvironment. Few studies, however, have provided data regarding the normal composition of the male urethral microbiomes or if these microbiomes are associated with male STIs. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge highlighting the urinary microbiome in MSM.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections among men who have sex with men in Durban, South Africa.

Despite significant research on the prevalence of STIs in South African men who have sex with men (MSM), recent data on the prevalence and risk factors for curable STI infections among this key populations are limited. This study determined the prevalence of and risk factors associated with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections among MSM. The sample consisted of 200 MSM resident in Durban. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and urine samples were collected and tested for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis were 3.0% and 6.0%, respectively. Younger age was significantly associated with testing positive for C. trachomatis (p=0.037). Being between the ages of 30-39 years old reduced the risk of acquiring C. trachomatis infection (OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.0120-0.7564, p=0.026). In addition, being circumcised reduced the risk of contracting C. trachomatis (adjusted OR: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.0005-0.3516, p=0.01). However, having between 2-4 sex partners increased the risk of testing positive for C. trachomatis (adjusted OR: 107.45, 95% CI: 1.3467-8573.3130, p=0.036). The following factors were significantly associated (p<0.05) with testing positive for N. gonorrhoeae infection: cohabiting with sex partner, engaging in group sex, and drug use. Fear and stigma were the main barriers to accessing health care in the studied population. This study provided evidence of high rates of C. trachomatis infection among MSM resident in Durban. Based on the results, South African MSM, especially the young MSM population, should be given priority when delivering intervention programs to prevent STIs.

Malgré des recherches importantes sur la prévalence des IST chez les hommes sud-africains ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH), les données récentes sur la prévalence et les facteurs de risque d'infections IST curables parmi ces populations clés sont limitées. Cette étude a déterminé la prévalence et les facteurs de risque associés aux infections à Neisseria gonorrhoeae et à Chlamydia trachomatis chez les HARSAH. L'échantillon était composé de 200 HSH résidant à Durban. Les données ont été collectées à l'aide d'un questionnaire auto-administré et des échantillons d'urine ont été collectés et testés pour N. gonorrhoeae et C. trachomatis. La prévalence de N. gonorrhoeae et de C. trachomatis était respectivement de 3,0 % et 6,0 %. Un âge plus jeune était significativement associé à un test positif pour C. trachomatis (p = 0,037). Le fait d'être âgé de 30 à 39 ans réduisait le risque de contracter une infection à C. trachomatis (OR : 0,10, IC à 95 % : 0,0120-0,7564, p = 0,026). De plus, être circoncis réduisait le risque de contracter C. trachomatis (OR ajusté : 0,01, IC à 95 % : 0,0005-0,3516, p=0,01). Cependant, avoir entre 2 et 4 partenaires sexuels augmentait le risque d'être testé positif pour C. trachomatis (OR ajusté : 107,45, IC à 95 % : 1,3467-8573,3130, p=0,036). Les facteurs suivants étaient significativement associés (p < 0,05) au test positif pour l'infection à N. gonorrhoeae : cohabitation avec un partenaire sexuel, participation à des relations sexuelles en groupe et consommation de drogues. La peur et la stigmatisation étaient les principaux obstacles à l'accès aux soins de santé dans la population étudiée. Cette étude a mis en évidence des taux élevés d'infection à C. trachomatis parmi les HSH résidant à Durban. Sur la base des résultats, les HSH sud-africains, en particulier la jeune population HSH, devraient être prioritaires lors de la mise en œuvre de programmes d'intervention visant à prévenir les IST.

Mycoplasma hominis increases the risk for Ureaplasma parvum infection in Human immunodeficiency virus infected pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma parvum have been recently linked to sexually transmitted diseases and other conditions. There are a limited number of studies conducted on South African pregnant women that have assessed the prevalence and risk factors for genital mycoplasmas. METHODOLOGY: This study included 264 HIV infected pregnant women attending the King Edward VIII antenatal clinic in eThekwini, South Africa. DNA was extracted using the PureLink Microbiome kit and pathogens were detected using the TaqMan Real-time PCR assays. The statistical data analysis was conducted in a freely available Statistical Computing Environment, R software, version 3.6.3 using the RStudio platform. RESULTS: The prevalence of M. hominis and U. parvum, was 215/264 (81.4%), and 203/264 (76.9%), respectively. In the M. hominis positive group, a significantly (p = 0.004) higher proportion, 80.5% tested positive for U. parvum infection when compared to 61.2% among the M. hominis negative. Of the U. parvum positive women, a significantly (p = 0.004) higher proportion of women (85.2%) tested positive for M. hominis when compared to 68.9% among the U. parvum negative. In the unadjusted and adjusted analysis, being M. hominis positive increased the risk for U. parvum by approximately 3 times more (p = 0.014) and 4-fold (p = 0.008), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant link between M. hominis and U. parvum infection. To date, there are a limited number of studies that have investigated M. hominisbeing a risk factor for U. parvum infection. Therefore, the data presented in the current study now fills in this gap in the literature.