Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing of HIV-Positive Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees Falls Short of Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men with HIV have high sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least yearly STI screening of HIV-infected individuals. METHODS: We calculated testing rates for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea among HIV-positive Californians with Medicare or Medicaid insurance in 2010. Logistic regressions estimated how testing for each bacterial STI relates to demographic and provider factors. RESULTS: Fewer than two-thirds of HIV-positive Medicare and fewer than three-quarters of Medicaid enrollees received a syphilis test in 2010. Screenings for chlamydia or gonorrhea were less frequent: approximately 30% of Medicare enrollees were tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea in 2010, but higher proportions of Medicaid enrollees were tested (45%-46%). Only 34% of HIV-positive Medicare enrollees who were tested for syphilis were also screened for chlamydia or gonorrhea on the same day. Nearly half of Medicaid enrollees were tested for all 3 STIs on the same day. Patients whose providers had more HIV experience had higher STI testing rates. CONCLUSIONS: Testing rates for chlamydia and gonorrhea infection are low, despite the increase in these infections among people living with HIV and their close association with HIV transmission. Interventions to increase STI testing include the following: prompts in the medical record to routinely conduct syphilis testing on blood drawn for viral load monitoring, opt-out consent for STI testing, and provider education about the clinical importance of STIs among HIV-positive patients. Last, it is crucial to change financial incentives that discourage nucleic acid amplification testing for rectal chlamydia and gonorrhea infections.

[CLINICO-MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF FEMALE URETHRAL MEATUS POLYPS].

The aim of the study was to establish the clinical and morphological characteristics of female urethral polyps including cases with concomitant sexually transmitted infections. A total of 150 women were enrolled in the study. The evaluation of microcirculatory changes, morphological parameters and immunogram indices of urethral polyps were carried out. The most common infectious agent in patients with urethral polyps was Ureaplasma urealyticum. In those cases predominance of inflammatory symptoms and elevated levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines were identified. It is found that the pronounced inflammatory reaction leads to an increase in the relative area of the subepithelial microvascular bed and the cellular elements population of lamina mucosa propria, as well as to the relative predominance of congestive forms of microcirculation disturbances according to the laser Doppler flowmetry.

[Sexually transmitted infections as a cause for solid rectal pseudo tumors]. / Sexuell übertragbare Infektionen als Ursache von solide imponierenden Pseudotumoren des Rektums.

Two cases of symptomatic proctitis with rectal tumors suspicious for malignancy are presented. A florid regenerative proctitis was shown in the histological examination. In both cases a sexually transmitted infection (STI) was causing the symptoms. In rare cases STIs present as pseudo tumors mimicking malignancy in clinical examination and endoscopic/radiological analysis. A close collaboration between gastroenterologist and pathologist is necessary for a correct diagnosis and to prevent unnecessary surgical treatment.

Chlamydia trachomatis related knowledge and practices in medical practioners--a survey.

INTRODUCTION: Chlamydia trachomatis is a frequently encountered condition by general physicians, urologists and infectious diseases specialists. It can affect both genders and causes significant morbidity if not treated properly and promptly. In addition, it can cause ophthalmia neonatorum, which manifests as neonatal conjunctivitis in the newborns. METHODOLOGY: The data was collected from fourteen tertiary care hospitals in two provinces of Pakistan during the time period of four months (September-December 2013). Inclusion criteria included all medical practitioners working at those hospitals and there were no limitations of age and gender to participate. The participants were approached through email which included a self administered questionnaire. Written consent was obtained from the participants and the study was approved by the ethical committee of all selected hospital. RESULTS: Overall 130 participants participated with a response rate of 65%. Females were 52.3% and males were 47.7%. In the study 17.7% of male and 29.4% of female participants proclaimed that they referred a patient to an infectious disease specialist in case the diagnosis of Chlamydia was dubious. 72.5% of the male and 55.8% of the female medical practitioners indicated that they yield detailed sexual history from the patients with Chlamydia. Regarding inquiring about the drugs history from the patient at risk of STDs, 22.6% male and 35.3% of female participants informed that they took a detailed drug history. Only 1.5% of the female medical practitioners notified Chlamydia to the partner of diseased patient themselves (provider referral). 24% male and 17.6% female participants had an understanding regarding the definite test of diagnosis for sexually transmitted Chlamydia. CONCLUSION: More sexual health skills development is required in medical practitioners working in Pakistan. The major deficient areas are sexual and drug history taking, management of sexually transmitted diseases and partner notification.

Is the recall of men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed as having bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for re-screening a feasible and effective strategy?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and outcomes of recalling men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed as having a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) for re-screening. METHODS: This evaluation was conducted from December 2008 for a 9-month period. MSM diagnosed as having a bacterial STI in that period were offered recall for re-screening 3 months after their diagnosis. Re-screening rates and infection incidence were calculated. Differences in baseline characteristics by re-screening status and factors predictive of infection at re-screening were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test, χ(2) test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 337 MSM diagnosed as having a bacterial STI, 301 were offered recall. Of these, 206 (68.4%) re-screened after 3 months, 30 (10%) declined and the remainder did not re-attend despite giving verbal consent. Compared with those not re-screening, those re-screening were less likely to be HIV positive (p=0.001), but there was no difference in baseline risk behaviours. There were 15 diagnoses of bacterial STIs at re-screening (29 per 100 person-year follow-up (pyfu); 95% CI 14.3 to 43.7) and five new HIV diagnoses of whom three had a negative test at baseline, one tested negative 6 months earlier and one never tested. Among those testing at both time points, the HIV incidence was 8.3 per 100 pyfu (95% CI 0.0 to 17.7). CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation demonstrates a 'recall for re-screening' strategy is feasible in terms of high re-screening rates and incidence of new infections diagnosed. Experimental evidence is needed to assess cost-effectiveness and whether it achieves its aim of reducing transmission of STIs and HIV.

[Efficacy of combined physiotherapeutic methods in complex treatment of patients with chronic infectious urethroprostatitis].

The study is aimed at investigation of efficacy and safety of a combined effect of laser therapy and vibromagnetotherapy in complex treatment of patients with chronic urethroprostatitis in the presence of sexually transmitted infection (STI). A total of 35 males aged 20 to 51 years entered the study. They were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 received standard basic therapy, group 2 received basic and laser therapy, group 3 - basic treatment and laser plus vibromagnetotherapy. Effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by the evidence obtained from clinical, bacteriological, device and functional examinations. The results of the treatments were evaluated after 2 weeks of the follow-up. It is shown that patients of groups 2 and 3 achieved more pronounced improvement of clinical and laboratory indices, parameters of basal blood flow. Thus, physiotherapy, added to antibacterial treatment, is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic urethroprostatitis and STI.

Design and analysis of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials.

Cluster randomized trials (CRT) are often used to evaluate therapies or interventions in situations where individual randomization is not possible or not desirable for logistic, financial or ethical reasons. While a significant and rapidly growing body of literature exists on CRTs utilizing a "parallel" design (i.e. I clusters randomized to each treatment), only a few examples of CRTs using crossover designs have been described. In this article we discuss the design and analysis of a particular type of crossover CRT - the stepped wedge - and provide an example of its use.

Examination of the treatment and follow-up care for adolescents who test positive for Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

OBJECTIVE: To document the comprehensive management of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in sexually active 14- to 19-year-old adolescents. DESIGN: A chart review of both paper and electronic records to examine documentation of treatment and follow-up of adolescents who tested positive for C. trachomatis infection. SETTING: Five pediatric clinics of a large northern California health maintenance organization. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 122 adolescent girls and boys aged 14 to 19 years who tested positive for C. trachomatis infection beginning May 1, 2001, for 20-month (4 sites) or 4-month (1 site) study periods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Antibiotic treatment, counseling regarding safer sex, management of patients' partners, screening for other sexually transmitted infections, and retesting for C. trachomatis infection. RESULTS: The median age of participants was 16.9 years. All but 4 teenagers (97%) were treated with appropriate antibiotics. During follow-up, safer-sex counseling was documented for 79% of the patients. Partner management was addressed for 52% of the patients. Only 36% of the patients were tested for other sexually transmitted infections, and 10% received C. trachomatis retesting during the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended time frame of 3 to 12 months after treatment. Significantly fewer boys than girls received safer-sex counseling (P = .02) and partner management (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Most teenagers received appropriate antibiotics, but fewer received other recommended care. The current study highlights important "missed-opportunity" clinical encounters for counseling to address high-risk behaviors, management of partners, detection of other sexually transmitted infections, and retesting for reinfections. Systems to address these gaps in care should be incorporated into the clinical management of adolescents infected with C. trachomatis.

The latest from the IVD industry December 2004. Chlamydia--pathogens that are still often underestimated.

Chlamydiae are bacteria living as intracellular parasites. Contemporary differentiation distinguishes nine species, of which three are relevant to human medicine. Infections with Chlamydia trachomatis are among the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydophila pneumoniae invade the respiratory tract, chlamydophila psittaci is the pathogen of ornithosis. Chlamydial infections frequently progress asymptomatically and hence remain untreated. Serious chronic secondary diseases are the outcome; they are protracted and cost intensive in treatment. Besides the detection of the pathogen, serology plays a vital part in diagnostics. The antibiotic therapy of chlamydial infections involves the application of tetracyclines, macrolides or chinolons. Chlamydophila pneumoniae in particular has become focus of medical interest as one of the causes of arteriosclerosis.

Approach to men with urethritis and urologic complications of sexually transmitted diseases.

The most important causes of urethritis, and epididymitis in younger men, are C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. Management of these syndromes requires a thorough sexual history, genital examination, evaluation for objective and laboratory evidence of infection, antimicrobial therapy directed toward the major etiologies, and evaluation and treatment of sexual partners. Treatment of N. gonorrhoeae requires use of a single-dose regimen active against this organism, plus a 7- to 10-day tetracycline regime active against C. trachomatis and nongonococcal urethritis. With recommended regimens, microbiologic failure is infrequent in compliant patients. Recurrent urethritis is frequent, however. The management of patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms requires careful reevaluation of the patient, documentation of urethritis, and re-treatment with antimicrobials if urethritis is documented by positive cultures or increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urethral secretions. Additional treatment beyond this point usually is not indicated, even though a proportion of men will remain symptomatic and some of these will have increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urethral secretions. The most important causes of prostatitis, and epididymitis in older men or men with urethral structural abnormalities, are classical urinary tract pathogens rather than sexually transmitted pathogens. Management of these infections includes documentation of the infection and treatment directed toward the specific pathogen. Men with symptoms of "prostatitis" must be evaluated using both urine and prostatic secretions to document infection and inflammation. The majority of men with such symptoms do not have an infection that can be documented. These men respond poorly to medications. Men with documented chronic bacterial prostatitis require long courses of antimicrobials to effect cure. In some cases, however, the disease is intractable, and chronic suppression with antimicrobials may be necessary.

Sexually transmitted diseases update.

STDs have worldwide distribution and result in immense social and economic cost. Knowledge of the clinical signs, symptoms, current clinical tests, and treatment recommendations is important for all health care professionals.

The resurgence of Chlamydia trachomatis.

The objective of the review is to alert reproductive-care providers to the unexpected resurgence of Chlamydia infections and to new findings related to complications associated with Chlamydia infection. Data sources consisted of national and local guidelines and literature searches of MEDLINE with the heading Chlamydia infections 2002 and 2003. The complications of Chlamydia infections are considered to be longterm, and may include debilitating pain, infertility, tubal pregnancy, cancer, and HIV infection. Only a strong disease-management response from reproductive-care providers, using new diagnostic techniques and simpler treatment regimens, as well as a strong public health reaction, will be effective to limit the scourges of Chlamydia infection in the female population.

Nonviral sexually transmitted infections.

In spite of having standard diagnostic methods and effective treatment regimens, nonviral sexually transmitted infections continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Nonviral infections are of special concern in young populations and have more serious consequences in women than in men. With perinatal exposure, newborns are at risk for both minor and major complications, including congenital anomalies, mental impairment, and death. To make an impact on the serious sequelae associated with these infections, nurses must recognize common signs and symptoms, select appropriate diagnostic tests, and rapidly initiate effective treatment. Appropriate emotional support and effective counseling are important components of infection management.

Sexually transmitted infections in men.

The diagnosis and treatment of STDs is a common problem in primary care practice; however, newer diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives require physicians to be aware of evidence-based guidelines that are continuing to evolve. The treatment of STDs in men, in particular, is an area of evolving evidence because much of what is known is based on the treatment of STDs in women. Men represent unique challenges in diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up that need to be considered in the treatment of urethritis, epididymitis, herpes genitalis, condyloma, prostatitis, and other syndromes. Screening for asymptomatic STDs is currently not recommended in the general population, but selected criteria can be used to identify a target population for screening in high-risk areas.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in adolescents.

C. trachomatis infections remain epidemic among sexually active young women and place these women at risk for major lifelong reproductive morbidity, including tubal infertility and chronic pelvic pain. The prevalence and importance of chlamydial infections among sexually active adolescent and young adult males have yet to be determined. Most recently, a synergistic relationship between risk for STI infections and HIV has been described. More randomized controlled trials need to be done to define this latter relationship. Cost-effectiveness of broad-base screening and treatment in a variety of populations that differ by prevalence, age, gender, and risk for HIV infection has yet to be determined. Finally, researchers are actively pursuing the development of an effective chlamydial vaccine that, in theory, would be given to prepubertal youth before the onset of sexual activity.

[A microbiology clinic in outpatient gynecologic service]. / Klinikai mikrobiológiai ambulancia a nögyógyászati járóbeteg-ellátásban.

The authors report on their experiences gained at the sexually transmitted disease clinic they established at the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Semmelweis Medical University. A total of 456 patients presenting with signs and symptoms of lower genital tract infection have been examined in one year. The investigation of patients included aerobic and anaerobic culture of vaginal bacteria, vaginal smear and the identification of sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasmatales and Gardnerella vaginalis. The authors conclude that a sexually transmitted disease clinic is appropriate to contribute to the prevention of horizontal and vertical spread of the sexually transmitted bacterial infections.

Epididymitis in the young adult male.

Epididymitis, the most common intrascrotal inflammation, accounts for more than 600,000 yearly visits to health care providers in the United States. Previously though to be of idiopathic origin, most cases in young male adults now are recognized as arising from sexually transmitted pathogens. Appropriate assessment depends on a high index of clinical suspicion, evaluation for the presence of urethritis, and appropriate cultures. Antibiotic therapy is the most important aspect of treatment, and sexual partners must be evaluated and treated. The high incidence of this disorder and its implication for future male fertility present a challenge to the health care provider in the ambulatory care setting.

[Acute salpingitis]. / Salpingites aiguës.

The incidence of acute salpingitis which are only one aspect of pelvic inflammatory disease has decreased during the last 20 years and more and more patients have mild symptoms. Consequences of this evolution are uncertainty for the diagnosis without laparoscopic proof of the pelvic inflammatory disease, ambulatory treatment with inappropriate regimen increasing the risk of chronical disease and long term sequelae. So laparoscopy must remain a standard in diagnosis and treatment especially in young childless women. Follow up of the medical treatment is necessary to assess its effectiveness and its compliance, to treat the sexual partner, and to provide informations about preventive measures to avoid relaps.