Postexposure Doxycycline to Prevent Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections.

BACKGROUND: Interventions to reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) are needed. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, randomized study involving MSM and transgender women who were taking preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (PrEP cohort) or living with HIV infection (persons living with HIV infection [PLWH] cohort) and who had had Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhea), Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia), or syphilis in the past year. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to take 200 mg of doxycycline within 72 hours after condomless sex (doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis) or receive standard care without doxycycline. STI testing was performed quarterly. The primary end point was the incidence of at least one STI per follow-up quarter. RESULTS: Of 501 participants (327 in the PrEP cohort and 174 in the PLWH cohort), 67% were White, 7% Black, 11% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 30% Hispanic or Latino. In the PrEP cohort, an STI was diagnosed in 61 of 570 quarterly visits (10.7%) in the doxycycline group and 82 of 257 quarterly visits (31.9%) in the standard-care group, for an absolute difference of -21.2 percentage points and a relative risk of 0.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24 to 0.46; P<0.001). In the PLWH cohort, an STI was diagnosed in 36 of 305 quarterly visits (11.8%) in the doxycycline group and 39 of 128 quarterly visits (30.5%) in the standard-care group, for an absolute difference of -18.7 percentage points and a relative risk of 0.38 (95% CI, 0.24 to 0.60; P<0.001). The incidences of the three evaluated STIs were lower with doxycycline than with standard care; in the PrEP cohort, the relative risks were 0.45 (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.65) for gonorrhea, 0.12 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.25) for chlamydia, and 0.13 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.59) for syphilis, and in the PLWH cohort, the relative risks were 0.43 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.71), 0.26 (95% CI, 0.12 to 0.57), and 0.23 (95% CI, 0.04 to 1.29), respectively. Five grade 3 adverse events and no serious adverse events were attributed to doxycycline. Of the participants with gonorrhea culture available, tetracycline-resistant gonorrhea occurred in 5 of 13 in the doxycycline groups and 2 of 16 in the standard-care groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combined incidence of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis was lower by two thirds with doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis than with standard care, a finding that supports its use among MSM with recent bacterial STIs. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; DoxyPEP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03980223.).

Serological ineptitude in blood banks: is there an association with sexually transmitted infections? / Inaptidão sorológica em bancos de sangue: existe associação com infecções sexualmente transmissíveis?

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious public health problem, and some of these infections are also transmitted through blood transfusions. Objective: To identify publications in scientific journals in Brazil and in the world showing if there is an important association between serological inadequacy due to sexually transmitted infections traced in blood and blood products used for medical use. Methods: Systematic review of articles published from 2018 to 2023, using the LILACS, SciELO and PubMed databases, with a concomitant approach to the issues of serological disability and STI. Original studies or review articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish with Brazilian and international data were included. Editorial publications, letter to the editor, letter from the editor or comments on the subject were excluded. Results: The search found 571 articles, of which 106 (18.40%) met the inclusion criteria, that is, Serological disability and STI. In studies with international data, the prevalence of donors with hepatitis C ranged from 0.12 to 4.8%; with hepatitis B, from 1.3 to 8.2%; with HIV, from 0.0021 to 2.5%; with syphilis, from 1.73 to 2.4%; with HTLV, 0.66%; and with Chagas disease, from 0.017 to 2.76%. Among articles with Brazilian data, the prevalence of donors with seroreactive tests for hepatitis C ranged from 0.18 to 1.76%; with hepatitis B, from 0.05 to 7.9%; with HIV, from 0.03 to 0.82%; with syphilis, from 0.37 to 3.51%; with HTLV, from 0.02 to 0.3%, and with Chagas disease, from 0.8 to 0.5%. Conclusion: STIs are rarely discussed in the scientific literature in studies on serological inadequacy. In addition, a minority of articles were with Brazilian data. However, results show that STIs, despite being little discussed in the scientific literature in studies on the subject of serological inadequacy, have statistically significant percentages of seropositivity for STIs. Moreover, hepatitis C and B have a relevant seroprevalence, reaching 8.2% and 4.8%, respectively, in the international scenario. In Brazil, hepatitis B continues to occupy a prominent place with a seroprevalence of up to 7.9%. However, syphilis now holds a very important role, with a maximum percentage of 3.51%. More studies are needed for further reflection: although STIs are little addressed in studies about serological inadequacy in human blood banks, would they contribute to the maintenance and non-reduction of the general frequency of infections transmitted by blood transfusion

Introdução: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) são um grave problema de saúde pública e algumas dessas infecções, também, transmitidas por intermédio de transfusões de sangue. Objetivo: Identificar publicações em periódicos científicos no Brasil e no mundo sobre se existe importante associação entre inaptidão sorológica por infecções sexualmente transmissíveis rastreadas em sangue e hemoderivados usados para uso médico. Métodos:Revisão sistemática de artigos publicados no período de 2018 a 2023, usando as bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed) com abordagem concomitante para os assuntos de inaptidão sorológica e IST. Incluíram-se estudos originais ou artigos de revisão nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol com dados brasileiros e internacionais. Foram excluídas publicações do tipo editorial, carta ao editor, carta do editor ou comentários sobre o tema. Resultados:A busca localizou 571 artigos dos quais 106 (18,40%) se encaixavam nos critérios de inclusão, ou seja, inaptidão sorológica e IST. Em estudos com dados internacionais, a prevalência de doadores com hepatite C variou de 0,12 a 4,8%; com hepatite B de 1,3 a 8,2%; com HIV de 0,0021 a 2,5%; com sífilis de 1,73 a 2,4%; com HTLV 0,66%; e com doença de Chagas de 0,017 a 2,76 %. Já entre os artigos com dados brasileiros, a prevalência de doadores com exames soro-reatores para hepatite C variou de 0,18 a 1,76%; com hepatite B de 0,05 a 7,9%; com HIV de 0,03 a 0,82%; com sífilis de 0,37 a 3,51%; com HTLV 0,02 a 0,3%, e com doença de Chagas de 0,8 a 0,5%. Conclusão: As IST são pouco abordadas na literatura científica em estudos com o tema inaptidão sorológica. Além disso, uma minoria de artigos era com dados brasileiros. Entretanto, resultados demonstram que, apesar de pouco abordadas na literatura científica em estudos com o tema inaptidão sorológica, as IST possuem percentuais de soropositividade estatisticamente significativos. Além disso, as hepatites C e B possuem soroprevalência relevante, podendo chegar a 8,2 e 4,8%, respectivamente, no cenário internacional. Já no cenário nacional, brasileiro, a hepatite B continua ocupando um lugar de destaque, com soroprevalência de até 7,9%. Todavia, a sífilis passa a ocupar um papel de altíssima relevância, com percentual máximo de 3,51%. São necessários mais estudos para mais reflexão: apesar de as IST serem pouco abordadas em estudos acerca da inaptidão sorológica em bancos de sangue humano, seriam elas contribuintes para a manutenção e a não redução da frequência geral de infecções transmitidas por transfusão sanguínea?

Vulnerability of the young university population to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections

Introduction: Brazilian universities receive annually thousands of young people who experience situations of vulnerability to the human immunodeficiency virus, sexually transmitted infections, and viral hepatitis. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the secondary data obtained from the attendance record of the rapid testing campaign for these health problems at a federal university in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 2019. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with secondary data of students (n=1,113) obtained from the standard attendance form by the Ministry of Health during the campaigns Fique Sabendo (Be Aware) in the period between November 25 and 29, 2019. Analyses were performed with the support of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program, with the calculation of absolute and relative frequencies. Pearson's chi-square test (5%) was used for comparison. Results: The results revealed a young, heterosexual, white profile. More than half reported having consumed alcohol and drugs in their lives. Other findings were the non-use of condoms with steady partners (18.1%) and occasional partners (21.3%), oral sex (86.8%), and unprotected sex in the last intercourse (45.6%). Most declared never being tested for human immunodeficiency virus (74.5%), syphilis (67.4%), hepatitis B (76.1%), or hepatitis C (77.0%). Conclusion: The university population is vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections due to the number of sexual partners and discontinued use of condoms with occasional partners. Such vulnerability is increased by the use of alcohol and other drugs

Mpox transmitted through sexual intercourse: three case reports

Introduction: In 2022, many countries, such as Brazil, experienced outbreaks of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in sexually active people with multiple sexual partners. Objective: Report cases of patients diagnosed with Mpox. Methods: Report three cases of patients diagnosed with Mpox treated at the STD Sector at Universidade Federal Fluminense. Results: We report three cases of young adult patients who spontaneously sought our STD service with wounds in the anogenital area, mouth and other parts of the body. These cases include a 28-year-old man (HIV positive) who had lesions on his penis and body, a 34-year-old man with perianal ulcers and adenopathy, and a 40-year-old man with painful ulcers on his penis. Conclusion: The article provides information on the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of mpox, highlighting the need for early detection, diagnosis, and prompt treatment to contain and prevent the spread of the disease. The cases presented in this study show all the characteristics of a sexually transmitted disease

Introdução: Em 2022, muitos países, como o Brasil, experimentaram surtos de mpox (anteriormente chamada de monkeypox) em pessoas sexualmente ativas com múltiplos parceiros sexuais. Objetivo: Relatar casos de pacientes diagnosticados com mpox. Métodos: Relatar três casos de pacientes com diagnóstico de mpox atendidos no Setor de Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis (DST) da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF). Resultados: Relatam-se três casos de pacientes adultos jovens que procuraram espontaneamente o Setor de DST da UFF com feridas na região anogenital, boca e outras partes do corpo. Esses casos incluem um homem de 28 anos (HIV positivo) que apresentava lesões no pênis e no corpo, um homem de 34 anos com úlceras perianais e adenopatia e um homem de 40 anos com úlceras dolorosas no pênis. Conclusão: O artigo fornece informações sobre os sintomas, transmissão e prevenção da mpox, destacando a necessidade de detecção precoce, diagnóstico e tratamento imediato para conter e prevenir a propagação da doença. Os casos apresentados apresentam todas as características de uma doença sexualmente transmissível.

Diverging trends in US male-female condom use by STI risk factors: a nationally representative study.

OBJECTIVE: Condom use behaviours are proximal to recent STI increases in the USA, yet it remains unclear whether the use of condoms has changed over time among unmarried, non-cohabiting young men who have sex with women (MSW) and how this variability is influenced by STI risk factors. METHODS: To examine condom use over time among MSW aged 15-29, we used three cross-sectional surveys from the 2002, 2006-2010 and 2011-2017 National Survey of Family Growth. We estimated weighted percentages, adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess changes in condom use, stratified by whether MSW reported any STI risk factors in the past 12 months (ie, perceived partner non-monogamy, male-to-male sex, sex in exchange for money or drugs, sex partner who injects illicit drugs, or an HIV-positive sex partner). RESULTS: We observed a divergence in trends in condom use at last sex between men aged 15 -29 with STI risk factors in the past 12 months and those without such history. We saw significant declines in condom use from 2002 to 2011-2017 among men with STI risk factors (APR=0.80, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.95), specifically among those aged 15-19 (APR=0.73, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.94) or non-Hispanic white (APR=0.71, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.93). In contrast, trends in condom use among men with no STI factors remained stable or increased. Across all time periods, the most prevalent STI risk factor reported was perception of a non-monogamous female partner (23.0%-26.9%). Post-hoc analyses examined whether condom use trends changed once this variable was removed from analyses, but no different patterns were observed. CONCLUSIONS: While STIs have been increasing, men aged 15-29 with STI risk factors reported a decline in condom use. Rising STI rates may be sensitive to behavioural shifts in condom use among young MSW with STI risk factors.

Conhecimento, atitude e prática de universitários intercambistas africanos acerca das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis / Conocimiento, actitud y práctica de estudiantes africanos de intercambio sobre las infecciones de transmisión sexual / Knowledge, attitude and practice of African university exchange students about Sexually Transmitted Infections

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática de universitários intercambistas provenientes do continente africano acerca das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis. Método estudo transversal, realizado de dezembro de 2019 a março de 2020, em universidade pública internacional brasileira localizada no Ceará. A amostra foi constituída por 150 estudantes africanos de diferentes cursos de graduação. Utilizou-se do inquérito de Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática. Resultados os universitários apresentaram conhecimento satisfatório acerca da forma de transmissão das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, porém, com deficiências a respeito das hepatites virais. Identificou-se associação entre sexo e atitude acerca do uso de preservativo em relação sexual com parceria fixa (p=0,042). No que se refere às práticas, houve associação entre sexo e uso do preservativo na primeira relação sexual (p=0,001), ter mais que um parceiro (p=0,001) e mais que dez parceiros em toda a vida (0,007). No que se relaciona às práticas sexuais nos últimos 12 meses, observou-se associação estatística entre ter relações sexuais com mais de um parceiro sexual e sexo do participante (p=0,001). Conclusão e implicações para a prática enfatiza-se a importância de a universidade pesquisada realizar atividades de educação em saúde que abordem Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, bem como de extensão universitária, que envolvam alunos imigrantes africanos.

RESUMEN Objetivo evaluar el conocimiento, la actitud y la práctica de estudiantes de intercambio del continente africano sobre las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual. Método estudio transversal, realizado de diciembre de 2019 a marzo de 2020, en una universidad pública internacional brasileña ubicada en Ceará. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 150 estudiantes africanos de diferentes cursos de pregrado. Se utilizó la encuesta de Conocimiento, Actitud y Práctica. Resultados los universitarios mostraron conocimientos satisfactorios sobre la transmisión de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, sin embargo, con deficiencias sobre las hepatitis virales. Se identificó asociación entre el sexo y la actitud sobre el uso del preservativo en las relaciones sexuales con pareja estable (p=0,042). En cuanto a las prácticas, hubo asociación entre sexo y uso de preservativo en la primera relación sexual (p=0,001), tener más de una pareja (p=0,001) y tener más de diez parejas en la vida (0,007). En cuanto a las prácticas sexuales en los últimos 12 meses, hubo asociación estadística entre tener sexo con más de una pareja sexual y el género del participante (p=0,001). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica se destaca la importancia de que la universidad investigada realice actividades de educación en salud que aborden las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, así como actividades de extensión universitaria, involucrando estudiantes inmigrantes africanos.

ABSTRACT Objective to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of university exchange students from the African continent about Sexually Transmitted Infections. Method a cross-sectional study, conducted from December 2019 to March 2020, in a public international Brazilian university located in Ceará. The sample consisted of 150 African students from different undergraduate courses. It was used the survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice. Results the students showed satisfactory knowledge about the form of transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections, however, with deficiencies regarding viral hepatitis. An association between sex and attitude about condom use in sexual intercourse with a fixed partner was identified (p=0.042). Regarding the practices, there was an association between sex and condom use in the first sexual relation (p=0.001), having more than one partner (p=0.001) and more than ten partners in the whole life (0.007). Regarding sexual practices in the last 12 months, there was a statistical association between having sex with more than one sexual partner and the participant's sex (p=0.001). Conclusion and implications for practice the importance of the university researched carrying out health education activities that address Sexually Transmitted Infections, as well as university extension activities that involve African immigrant students, is emphasized.

[Postexposure prophylaxis after sexual assault]. / Infektionsprophylaxe nach sexueller Gewalt.

Relevant exposure to important infectious pathogens can occur during sexual assault. If there is a latent period between exposure and illness due to an infection with pathogens, a postexposure prophylaxis can effectively inhibit the infection. In the present review article possible postexposure prophylaxis treatment for tetanus, hepatitis B, HIV and hepatitis A are discussed with a focus on the time window within which a specific regimen should be started and in which temporal order. These recommendations are based on the epidemiologic conditions in Germany. Moreover, the two most frequent sexually transmitted bacterial infections, namely Neisseria gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis are presented, as victims of sexual assault in particular often do not return for control investigations in an outpatient setting.

Newly Discovered Archival Data Show Coincidence of a Peak of Sexually Transmitted Diseases with the Early Epicenter of Pandemic HIV-1.

To which extent STDs facilitated HIV-1 adaptation to humans, sparking the pandemic, is still unknown. We searched colonial medical records from 1906-1958 for Leopoldville, Belgian Congo, which was the initial epicenter of pandemic HIV-1, compiling counts of treated STD cases in both Africans and Europeans. Almost all Europeans were being treated, while for Africans, generalized treatment started only in 1929. Treated STD counts in Europeans thus reflect STD infection rates more accurately compared to counts in Africans. In Africans, the highest recorded STD treatment incidence was in 1929-1935, declining to low levels in the 1950s. In Europeans, the recorded treatment incidences were highest during the period 1910-1920, far exceeding those in Africans. Europeans were overwhelmingly male and had frequent sexual contact with African females. Consequently, high STD incidence among Europeans must have coincided with high prevalence and incidence in the city's African population. The data strongly suggest the worst STD period was 1910-1920 for both Africans and Europeans, which coincides with the estimated origin of pandemic HIV-1. Given the strong effect of STD coinfections on HIV transmission, these new data support our hypothesis of a causal effect of STDs on the epidemic emergence of HIV-1.

Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections among young men presenting to the Brazilian Army, 2016: A STROBE-compliant national survey-based cross-sectional observational study.

ABSTRACT: Global burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high and has a profound impact on health and lives of children, adolescents and adults worldwide. For over a decade, the Brazilian Department of Chronic Condition Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections and the Ministry of Defense have been conducting the Conscripts Survey aiming to assess the STI prevalence and obtain data on knowledge regarding STIs and risk factors among youth.A cross-sectional study was conducted among conscripts across Brazil aged 17 to 22 years from August to December 2016. It included a self-reported questionnaire containing 74 questions, 25 questions related to awareness and knowledge of STIs and their associated symptoms, routes of transmission, complications and risk factors.A total of 37,282 young men across Brazil were considered for the analysis. The majority resided in the Northeast and Southeast regions (38.9% and 30.0%, respectively), followed by the South (13.9%), North (9.7%), and Central-west (7.5%) regions. Of the conscripts, 97.2% have the knowledge they may be at risk if they do not use condoms during sex. Conscripts with a higher level of education have almost 2 times greater chance of having knowledge of having sex without a condom (OR 3.23 CI95% 2.82-3.70 P = .000) and sharing needles and syringes (OR 2.84 CI95% 2.62-3.07 P = .000) represents a risk. Those with higher education also have an almost 50% greater chance of having knowledge regarding STI transmission from mother to child (OR 1.54 CI95% 1.44-1.64 P = .000), and knowledge of no transmission by mosquito bite (OR 1.61 CI95%1.51-1.72 P = .000), by kissing (OR 1.45 CI95% 1.36-1.55 P = .000) or by using public toilets (OR 1.51 CI95% 1.41-1.61 P = .000). Television (71.8%) and internet (69.4%) are the preferred forms to obtain STIs information regardless of the level of education.Conscripts with higher level of education have greater knowledge regarding transmission of STIs. However, there are gaps regarding their knowledge about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and the fact that other STIs can increase the chances of acquiring HIV.

Modelling the multiple anatomical site transmission of Mycoplasma genitalium among men who have sex with men in Australia.

Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) is a recently recognised and important sexually transmitted infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). The role of oral sex, rimming, and kissing on M. genitalium transmission in MSM is unclear. We created four deterministic susceptible-infectious-susceptible epidemic models to examine the role that different sexual behaviours play in transmitting M. genitalium at the oropharynx, urethra anorectum among men who have sex with men in Australia. Our results suggest that oral and anal sex without other sexual practices (model 1) replicate well single site infection at the oropharynx, urethra and anorectum and also multi-site infection. If kissing or rimming are added to model 1 (i.e., model 2-4) no substantial improvements in the calibration of the models occur. Model 1 estimates that 3.4% of infections occur at the oropharynx, 34.8% at the urethra and 61.8% at the anorectum. Model 1 also estimates that the proportion of incident M. genitalium transmitted by anal sex was 82.4%, and by oral sex was about 17.6%. Our findings could provide an enhanced understanding of M. genitalium transmission in MSM, thus providing insights into what sexual practices contribute most to transmission.

High-risk sexual behavior and HIV/STDs cascade of care in migrants: results from an Italian dedicated outpatient clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Ethnical segregation and migration influence sexual health. Differences in sexual networks and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between racial/ethnic minorities and the native population have been described in the literature. METHODOLOGY: We collected data on sexual behavior and physical examination. Basing on CDC 2015 guidelines on STDs, anamnesis, and clinical features, screening for HIV/STDs was proposed. RESULTS: We enrolled 209 migrants, the median age was 32.5 (26-40) years, and 146 (69.9%) were male. The most represented nationalities were Nigerian, Senegalese, and Somali, with 85 (40.7%), 68 (32.5%), and 16 (7.7%) people, respectively. Twenty-two (10.5%) patients referred perianal/genital lesions, 6 (2.9%) abdominal/pelvic discomfort, and 183 (87.6%) were asymptomatic. Almost all symptomatic patients accepted the tests. 52/183 (28.4%) asymptomatic subjects accepted the tests, and only 24/52(46.2%) performed them. Among symptomatic patients were 6 (24%) HBsAg positivities and one (4%) HCV infection. Four (16%) people had latent syphilis; in 12 (48%) people, HPV-related genital warts were present, 7 (28%) people had Molluscum contagiosum, and 6 (24%) women had pelvic inflammatory diseases. Among patients referring no symptoms, there were 10 (41.7%) HBsAg positivities, one (4.2%) HIV infection, four (16.7%) latent syphilis, one (4.2%) HPV-related genital infection, and one (4.2%) PID. Being Nigerian and having symptoms were associated with a more high acceptance of the STDs test. Having a high-risk behavior was significantly associated with the development of at least one STD. CONCLUSIONS: migrants have high-risk sexual behavior. Despite this, they have a low perception of HIV/STDs risk and healthcare needs. Particular attention should be given to improve access to HIV/STDs services that provide screening and treatment and increase the perception of healthcare needs.

Potential and demonstrated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexually transmissible infections: Republication.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review considers the potential and demonstrated impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the sexually transmissible infection (STI)/HIV transmission. RECENT FINDINGS: COVID-19 increases the vulnerability of those at highest risk of acquiring STI/HIV. Altered health-seeking behaviour, reductions in STI/HIV clinic capacity, service disruptions and redeployment of human resources to assist COVID-19 control efforts have impacted on STI/HIV control programmes. Reports of reduced STI incidence are emerging, but it is hard to determine whether this is real or due to decreased testing during COVID-19 lockdown periods. Fear of COVID-19 and implemented control measures have altered STI/HIV transmission dynamics. Sexual health services adapted to the pandemic by reducing face-to-face patient encounters in favour of telehealth and mail-based initiatives as well as more stringent triage practice. Many sexual health and HIV treatment services now operate at reduced capacity and experience ongoing service disruptions, which necessarily translates into poorer outcomes for patients and their communities. SUMMARY: In the short-term, COVID-19 related sexual behaviour change is driving STI/HIV transmission downwards. However, the impacts of the global COVID-19 response on sexual health-seeking behaviour and STI/HIV services threaten to drive STI/HIV transmission upwards. Ultimately, the expected rebound in STI/HIV incidence will require an appropriate and timely public health response. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COID/A31.

HSV-associated proctitis presenting without perianal lesions: why testing and empirical treatment may be important.

A man in his late 30s presented with a several-day history of rectal pain, discharge and bleeding associated with systemic upset. Sexual history revealed receptive anal sex with several male partners in the 2 weeks preceding his clinic visit. Examination of the perianal area was unremarkable. Proctoscopy showed evidence of non-ulcerative proctitis. Microscopy for Gram stain showed pus cells plus extracellular Gram-negative diplococci. The patient was treated for presumptive gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection with ceftriaxone, azithromycin and doxycycline. The patient failed to improve with this treatment regimen. Rectal swab results at 48 hours confirmed the causative agent to be herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2. The patient was recalled and treated successfully with valaciclovir. This case serves as a useful reminder to clinicians to consider HSV in the differential diagnosis of sexually transmitted proctitis, in the absence of perianal or anorectal ulceration.

Prevalence of urogenital, anal, and pharyngeal infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium: a cross-sectional study in Reunion island.

BACKGROUND: Recommendations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening vary significantly across countries. This study evaluated the prevalence of urogenital and extragenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in patients visiting a French STI clinic in the Indian Ocean region to determine whether current STI screening practices should be updated. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined all patients who visited the STI clinic between 2014 and 2015. Triplex polymerase chain reaction screening for CT, NG, and MG was performed on urine, vaginal, pharyngeal, and anal specimens (FTD Urethritis Basic Kit, Fast Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg). RESULTS: Of the 851 patients enrolled in the study, 367 were women (367/851, 43.2%) and 484 were men (484/851, 56.0%). Overall, 826 urogenital specimens (826/851, 97.1%), 606 pharyngeal specimens (606/851, 71.2%), and 127 anal specimens (127/851, 14.9%) were taken from enrolled patients. The prevalence of urogenital CT and MG was high in women ≤25 years (19/186, 10.21%; 5/186, 2.69%) and in men who have sex with women ≤30 years (16/212, 7.54%; 5/212, 2.36%). Among patients with urogenital CT infection, 13.7% (7/51) had urethritis. All patients with urogenital MG infection were asymptomatic. Men who have sex with men had a high prevalence of pharyngeal CT (2/45, 4.44%) and NG (3/44, 6.81%) and a high prevalence of anal CT (2/27, 7.41%), NG (2/27, 7.40%), and MG (1/27, 3.70%). After excluding patients with concomitant urogenital infection, extragenital infections with at least 1 of the 3 pathogens were found in 20 swabs (20/91, 21.9%) taken from 16 patients (16/81, 19.7%), all of them asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Routine multisite screening for CT, NG, and MG should be performed to mitigate the transmission of STIs in high-risk sexually active populations.

At-Home Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital provided HIV prevention patients with gonorrhea/chlamydia testing kits at home. This report describes the program implementation to provide other sexual health clinics with a roadmap in adapting to a "new normal" in providing comprehensive sexual health care virtually to patients.

Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in Portuguese women of childbearing age.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in Portuguese women of childbearing age. Cervicovaginal self-collected samples of 680 childbearing-age women (15-44 years) were tested for NG and TV by polymerase chain reaction. Sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural data were assessed through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. NG and TV prevalence was 1.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-2.5%) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.5-2.1%), respectively. The prevalence of TV was significantly higher in women aged >22 years (p = .003), with >6 years after sexual intercourse (p = .003), and who reported previous pregnancy (p = .004). Our study suggests that NG and TV are rare in Portuguese women of childbearing age. However, larger epidemiological studies with a nationally representative sample of female subjects are warranted, to clarify the need for screening of these microorganisms in Portuguese women, since its prevalence is probably underestimated.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Studies on the prevalence of NG and TV have been performed in several developed and developing countries. However, limited data is available in Portuguese women. The detection of NG and TV is necessary because, beside the risk of transmission to sex partners, these STIs may be associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission, and ultimately with reproductive, pregnancy and perinatal complications.What do the results of this study add? Our study adds new findings to the body of knowledge on NG and TV prevalence in Portuguese women of reproductive age. As so, we found a low prevalence of both NG (1.3%) and TV (1.0%) in the studied population.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our results may be a step ahead to encourage future nationally representative studies evaluating the prevalence of NG and TV genital infection and, consequently, to clarify the need for screening of these microorganisms. In clinical practice, it should be highlighted the appropriate management of NG and TV infection in specific situations, such as pregnancy. Also, sexual partners must be treated to prevent the recurrences in the index cases and reduce transmission to other partners.

Factors associated with lower knowledge of HIV and STI transmission, testing and treatment among MSM in Ireland: findings from the MSM Internet Survey Ireland (MISI) 2015.

BACKGROUND: Poor knowledge regarding STI and HIV transmission, testing and treatment among men who have sex with men (MSM) may be contributing to their disproportionate burden of STIs. However, factors which predispose MSM to having this low knowledge are less understood. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with having lower knowledge of HIV and STI transmission, testing and treatment among MSM. METHODS: The MSM Internet Survey Ireland 2015 was a self-completed online national survey available to MSM living in Ireland. Thirteen factual statements were used to assess participants' knowledge of HIV and STI transmission, testing and treatment. Respondents were defined as having 'lower knowledge' if they indicated prior knowledge of fewer than 11 true statements. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with having lower knowledge. RESULTS: 3090 MSM completed the survey, of whom 2905 (94%) were included in this study. Thirty-six per cent (n=1055) had lower knowledge of HIV and STI transmission, testing and treatment. The factors associated with having lower knowledge included being 18-24 years of age (vs >40 years; adjusted OR (aOR) 1.98, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.61), born in Ireland (vs outside Ireland; aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.10) and being out to none of their contacts (vs out to most/all; aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.37). Knowledge was also lower among those who never tested for HIV (vs tested negative within last 12 months; aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.88 to 2.86) and among MSM who never visited an MSM-specific health promotion website (vs visited website; aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.25). CONCLUSION: A range of demographic factors, sexual health variables and use of MSM-specific sexual health promotion materials are associated with low knowledge regarding HIV and STI transmission, testing and treatment among MSM in Ireland. Engagement with the main national MSM-specific sexual health promotion website was associated with higher knowledge levels.