Reproductive health among women living with HIV attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre for HIV care from February 2019 to February 2020.

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV are a minority population with unique care needs. Rates of unintended pregnancy are higher among women living with HIV versus HIV negative women. However, uptake of contraception among women living with HIV including long-acting-reversible contraceptives (LARCs) remains low. This quality improvement project aimed to identify gaps in reproductive healthcare for women living with HIV attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of women living with HIV attending MSHC for HIV care February 2019-February 2020. Women aged over 45years were excluded. Primary outcomes included proportion using contraception, methods used and whether a sexual or reproductive health history had been taken in the past year. RESULTS: A total of 100 women were included, predominantly born overseas (Asia, 38%; sub-Saharan Africa, 34%). Of these, 5% were pregnant, 16% were trying to conceive and 1% were undergoing elective oocyte preservation. Of the remaining 74 women, 48.6% were using any form of contraception, including 17.6% women using less-effective methods (withdrawal and condoms), 6.8% using the combined oral contraceptive pill, 18.9% using LARCs and 5.4% using permanent methods. Sexual activity status was documented for 61% women, 1% declined to answer and not documented for 38% women. CONCLUSIONS: Rate of contraceptive use in this study was lower than previously reported among women living with HIV in Australia; however, our findings suggest contraceptive methods may be changing in light of undetectable equals untransmittable and increased fertility desires. Discussions regarding sexual activity and reproductive health were limited. Mechanisms to increase clinician-patient discourse regarding these important issues should be explored.

Improving Access to Sexual Health Services in General Practice Using a Hub-and-Spoke Model: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.

Improving access to sexual health services is critical in light of rising sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We evaluated a hub-and-spoke model for improving access to sexual health services in three general practices in Victoria, Australia. The primary outcome was the impact on HIV and STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) testing. Segmented linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the trends in the total HIV/STI tests pre- (from January 2019 to June 2020) and post-implementation (from July 2020 to July 2021). We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of integrating this model into the general practices using semi-structured individual interviews. There was a statistically significant rise in testing for HIV and STIs in all general practices: post-implementation, there was an increase of an average of 11.2 chlamydia tests per month (p = 0.026), 10.5 gonorrhoea tests per month (p = 0.001), 4.3 syphilis tests per month (p = 0.010), and 5.6 HIV tests per month (p = 0.010). Participants reported increases in knowledge level and confidence in offering STI testing and managing a greater variety of sexual health cases. This study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a hub-and-spoke model to enable GPs to deliver sexual health care with support from a sexual health specialist service.

Culture obtained from urethral swab of asymptomatic men who screen positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by urine nucleic acid amplification testing.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study of men attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre who had Neisseria gonorrhoeae detected by urine Aptima Combo 2 (AC2) testing, 11% were asymptomatic. This study aimed to determine whether N. gonorrhoeae can be cultured from asymptomatic men screening positive for N. gonorrhoeae by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) of urine. METHODS: Between 1 July 2017 and 31 March 2019, all men attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre were tested for N. gonorrhoeae by AC2 testing of urine whether urethral symptoms were reported or not. NAAT-positive men were recalled and a urethral swab performed for gonococcal culture using modified Thayer-Martin media with determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by agar dilution. RESULTS: There were 1001 cases (860 individuals) positive for N. gonorrhoeae by urine AC2: 892 (89%) reported urethral symptoms; 109 (11%) did not. Twenty-five asymptomatic cases were excluded because of antibiotic use at or following screening. Of the remaining 84 asymptomatic men, 41 (49%) had a urethral swab performed a median of 5 days after screening. Twenty-one men had urethral discharge at the return visit, 11 of whom reported the discharge at the return visit. Of the 41 men who were swabbed, 31 (76%; 95% CI 60% to 88%) were culture positive for N. gonorrhoeae. Among the 21 men who subsequently developed discharge, 19 (90%; 95% CI 70% to 99%) were culture positive. Among the 20 men who remained asymptomatic, 12 (60%; 95% CI 36% to 81%) were culture positive. MIC profiles were obtained from all isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Gonorrhoea was isolated in most but not all asymptomatic men screening positive for N. gonorrhoeae by urine NAAT. Clinicians should consider performing urethral culture in such men to ensure optimal surveillance for antimicrobial resistance. Isolation of N. gonorrhoeae by culture in men without discharge indicates these are true infections with viable organisms.

Timing of primary syphilis treatment and impact on the development of treponemal antibodies: a cross-sectional clinic-based study.

BACKGROUND: Serology is negative in a proportion of primary syphilis cases where Treponema pallidum PCR testing is positive. We aimed to identify discordant, T. pallidum PCR-positive, serology-negative primary syphilis cases and any clinical or laboratory factors associated with failure to subsequently seroconvert. METHODS: Serodiscordant primary syphilis cases that were T. pallidum PCR-positive and serology-negative (including rapid plasma reagin, T. pallidum particle agglutination, T. pallidum enzyme immunoassay or T. pallidum chemiluminescence assay) were identified from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre electronic records between April 2011 and December 2019. Clinical and laboratory associations were examined. RESULTS: There were 814 primary syphilis cases in the study period and 38 (4.7%) were serodiscordant, 35 in men who have sex with men. Thirty-two had follow-up serology performed a median of 24 days later, of which 16 (50%) seroconverted, mostly (81%) within 6 weeks. Failure to seroconvert was significantly associated with treatment on day 1. Of the 12 cases treated on day 1, 10 (83%) failed to seroconvert compared with 6 of 20 (30%) among those who were treated after day 1. DISCUSSION: Earlier treatment of primary syphilis can prevent the development of serological markers. T. pallidum PCR can identify primary syphilis lesions before the development of serological markers and improve diagnosis of early primary syphilis lesions. Serology alone will miss a proportion of primary syphilis infections and should be repeated if a diagnosis of syphilis is being considered.

Nonclassical Pathogens as Causative Agents of Proctitis in Men who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify enteric and sexually acquired rectal pathogens, other than chlamydia and gonorrhea, associated with symptomatic proctitis in men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: Anorectal swab samples were obtained from MSM presenting with rectal symptoms and a clinical diagnosis of proctitis at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between January 2017 and March 2019. Samples that tested positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis were excluded. As a comparison group, anorectal samples were also obtained from MSM not reporting symptoms of proctitis between November 2018 and February 2019. Samples from both groups were tested for 15 viral, bacterial, and protozoal enteric pathogens using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Anorectal samples from 499 men with symptomatic proctitis and 506 asymptomatic men were analyzed. Age, HIV status, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use did not differ between men with proctitis and asymptomatic men. Treponema pallidum was more common in men with proctitis (risk difference [RD], 3.6%; 95% CI, 2.0%-5.2%). Most men with anorectal T. pallidum presented with painful anal primary infections. Shigella spp. was more common among men with proctitis compared with asymptomatic men (RD, 1.8%; 95% CI, 0.1%-3.5%). Most men with Shigella did not report diarrhea. Mycoplasma genitalium was more common in men with proctitis (RD, 4.3%; 95% CI, 1.1%-7.5%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 (RD, 10.1%; 95% CI, 6.8%-13.3%) and HSV-2 (RD, 7.2%; 95% CI, 4.5%-10.0%) were more common with proctitis. CONCLUSIONS: Testing for T. pallidum, Shigella, and HSV should be considered in MSM presenting with symptomatic proctitis. These data provide support for M. genitalium as a significant cause of proctitis. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is required for MSM with proctitis.

Clinical Presentation of Incident Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Taking HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Melbourne, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Current international guidelines on human immunodeficieny virus (HIV) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) recommend serological screening for syphilis at routine 3-monthly PrEP appointments. The aim of our study was to describe the pattern of clinical presentation of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) taking PrEP. We were interested in whether syphilis is detected through screening at scheduled3-monthly PrEP clinic appointments or whether primary or secondary syphilis presented at unscheduled interval visits. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of MSM attending the PrEP clinic at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between February 2016 and March 2019. Serological screening for syphilis was routinely undertaken at 3-monthly PrEP clinic appointments. Diagnoses of early syphilis were identified from PrEP clinic visits and from interim walk-in STI clinic attendances. RESULTS: There were 69 cases of early syphilis among 61 MSM taking PrEP during the study period. There were 24 (35%) primary, 16 (23%) secondary, and 29 (42%) early latent infections. The incidence of early syphilis was 8.6 per 100 person-years. A substantial proportion of primary (58%) and secondary (44%) syphilis diagnoses were made at interim STI clinic attendances, between PrEP appointments. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis screening at routine 3-monthly PrEP visits alone fails to detect a proportion of primary and secondary syphilis infections and may be insufficient in preventing onward transmission. Education of MSM taking PrEP regarding the risk of syphilis and symptom recognition is necessary together with access to syphilis testing between PrEP visits.

Clinical factors associated with syphilis concordance in men in sexual partnerships: a cross-sectional couples study.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis infections continue to increase among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many countries, with rates often higher among HIV-positive MSM. There is limited understanding of the risk and determinants of syphilis transmission between men. We aimed to examine the concordance of early syphilis infection between male sexual partners and clinical factors associated with transmission. METHODS: Men attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre with their male partners, where at least one was diagnosed with early syphilis, were identified from linkage of partner records between March 2011 and April 2016. Early latent syphilis was defined as a new asymptomatic syphilis presentation of less than 2 years' duration. Associations between concordance and potential risk factors were examined using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Among 43 couples (86 men) identified, there were 13 couples (26 men) where both were diagnosed with early syphilis, representing a concordance rate of 30.2% (95% CI 17.2% to 46.1%). Among the 13 concordant couples, 5 men had primary syphilis (4 penile, 1 anal), 11 secondary syphilis (8 generalised rash, 3 penile, 2 anal, 1 oral lesion) and 10 early latent infections. Concordance was higher among couples where at least one partner had secondary syphilis compared with couples where neither partner had secondary syphilis (53% (9/17) vs 15% (4/26), P=0.016). Furthermore, concordance was higher among couples where one was HIV positive compared with couples where both were HIV negative (62% (5/8) vs 23% (8/35), P=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: There was an overall concordance rate of 30%. Higher concordance rates for early syphilis infection between male sexual partners were associated with HIV and secondary syphilis.

Increasing Macrolide and Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium.

Escalating resistance to azithromycin and moxifloxacin is being reported for Mycoplasma genitalium in the Asia-Pacific region. Analyzing 140 infections, we found pretreatment fluoroquinolone-resistance mutations in parC (13.6%) and gyrA (5%). ParC S83 changes were associated with moxifloxacin failure. Combined macrolide/fluoroquinolone-resistance mutations were in 8.6% of specimens, for which recommended therapies would be ineffective.

Treatment Outcomes for Rectal Lymphogranuloma Venereum in Men Who Have Sex with Men Using Doxycycline, Azithromycin, or Both: A Review of Clinical Cases.

BACKGROUND: Treatment for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum where doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 21 days was used-either alone or together with azithromycin 1 g single dose-resulted in microbiological cure of 97%. These data support doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 21 days as the preferred treatment for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA bacterial load in men with symptomatic and asymptomatic gonococcal urethritis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have quantified bacterial loads of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the pharynx and rectum of men but not the urethra. We quantified the bacterial load of N. gonorrhoeae in men with symptomatic and asymptomatic urethral gonorrhoea infections. METHODS: Consecutive men diagnosed with urethral gonorrhoea by Aptima Combo 2 testing of urine at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March and July 2016 were eligible for the study: symptomatic men with purulent urethral discharge and asymptomatic men with no urethral symptoms. The gonococcal bacterial load in both groups was measured by urethral swab using a standardised collection method and real-time quantitative PCR targeting the opa gene. RESULTS: Twenty men were recruited into the study: 16 had purulent urethral discharge and 4 had asymptomatic urethral gonorrhoea. The median gonococcal bacterial load was significantly higher among symptomatic men (3.7×106 copies per swab, IQR 2.5×106-4.7×106) compared with asymptomatic men (2.0×105 copies per swab, IQR 2.7×104-4.5×105) (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Gonococcal loads in men with urethral discharge were higher than loads seen with asymptomatic urethral gonorrhoea and loads seen in asymptomatic pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhoea infections in previous studies.

Increased Detection of Pharyngeal and Rectal Gonorrhea in Men Who Have Sex With Men After Transition From Culture To Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing.

BACKGROUND: This before-and-after study measured the impact of a change in testing methods from culture to nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) on the detection of pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea in men who have sex with men (MSM) on a sexual health service level, including the effect on subgroups anticipated to have higher rates of gonorrhea. METHODS: In March 2015, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre changed its laboratory method for gonococcal testing from culture to NAAT using the Aptima Combo 2 and Aptima GC tests. We compared the proportion of tests positive for rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhea in MSM using culture in 2014 with those using NAAT in 2015. RESULTS: The proportion of tests positive for rectal gonorrhea by NAAT was double that obtained by culture (8% vs 3.9%; prevalence ratio [PR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-2.4) and 5-fold for pharyngeal gonorrhea (8.3% vs 1.6%; PR, 5.2; 95% CI, 4.2-6.4). Similar increases in test positivity were observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative men. By NAAT, test positivity for rectal gonorrhea was higher in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative men (15.4% vs 7.3%; PR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.7-2.6). Culture and NAAT had similar test positivity for rectal gonorrhea among men who reported contact with gonorrhea (24.9% vs 25.3%, PR 1.0, 95% CI 0.8-1.4) and men who presented with symptoms of proctitis (22.2% vs 27.9%, PR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8-2.0). CONCLUSIONS: A switch from culture to Aptima Combo 2 testing for extragenital gonorrhea in MSM increased detection and was most marked for pharyngeal infections.

Azithromycin 1.5g Over 5 Days Compared to 1g Single Dose in Urethral Mycoplasma genitalium: Impact on Treatment Outcome and Resistance.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of extended azithromycin (1.5g over 5 days) on selection of macrolide resistance and microbiological cure in men with Mycoplasma genitalium urethritis during 2013-2015 and compared this to cases treated with azithromycin 1g in 2012-2013. METHODS: Microbiological cure was determined for men with M. genitalium urethritis treated with azithromycin 1.5g using quantitative polymerase chain reaction specific for M. genitalium DNA on samples 14-100 days post-treatment. Pre- and post-treatment macrolide resistance mutations were detected by sequencing the 23 S gene. RESULTS: There was no difference in proportions with microbiological cure between azithromycin 1.5g and 1g: 62/106 (58%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 49%, 68%) and 56/107 (52%; 95%CI 42-62%), P = .34, respectively. Also, there was no difference in the proportion of wild-type 23 S rRNA (presumed macrolide sensitive) infections cured after 1.5g and azithromycin 1g: 28/34 (82%; 95%CI 65-92%) and 49/60 (82%; 95%CI 70-90%), P=1.0, respectively. There was no difference between 1.5g and 1g in the proportions of wild-type infections with post-treatment resistance mutations: 4/34 (12%; 95%CI 3-27%) and 11/60 (18%; 95%CI 10-30%), respectively, P = .40. Pre-treatment resistance was present in 51/98 (52%; 95%CI 42-62%) cases in 2013-2015 compared to 47/107 (44%; 95%CI 34-54%) in 2012-2013, P = .25. CONCLUSIONS: Extended azithromycin 1.5g was no more effective than a single 1g dose at achieving cure of M. genitalium urethritis and importantly did not reduce the selection of macrolide resistance. Nonmacrolide and new approaches for the treatment of M. genitalium urethritis are required.

Provision of HIV test results by telephone is both safe and efficient for men who have sex with men.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of delivering HIV test results by telephone on HIV testing and subsequent risk behaviour of men, as well as saving on clinic consultation time. It was conducted at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, the main public sexual health clinic servicing Victoria, Australia. In 2013, a policy change was introduced so men could obtain their HIV test result via telephone. We compared the proportion of men testing for HIV and receiving results in the 24 months before (2011-2012) and the 24 months after (2013-2014) the policy change. There was a modest increase in the proportion of men having a HIV test of 3.2% ( p < 0.001) after the policy change. The provision of HIV results by telephone more than halved the number of men re-attending (74.4% vs. 33.1%) which freed up 516 hours of clinic time and had no adverse outcome on subsequent risk behaviour, nor changed the proportion of men who obtained their HIV results ( p = 0.058), or the period of time between testing and obtaining results for HIV-negative ( p = 0.007) and HIV-positive results ( p = 0.198). Telephone notification of HIV test results is a useful option given the potential beneficial effects shown.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Doxycycline Efficacy for Rectal Lymphogranuloma Venereum in Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has reemerged as a sexually transmitted infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly those who are HIV-positive. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of doxycycline (100 mg 2×/d for 21 days) for rectal LGV in MSM. Nine studies were included: 4 prospective, 4 retrospective, and 1 combined retrospective and prospective. In total, 282 MSM with rectal LGV were included in the studies. All studies reported using nucleic acid amplification tests to assess microbial cure. Most patients (>80%) had symptomatic rectal infection. The fixed-effects pooled efficacy for doxycycline was 98.5% (95% CI 96.3%-100%, I (2)  = 0%; p = 0.993). Doxycycline at 100 mg twice daily for 21 days demonstrated a high microbial cure rate. These data support doxycycline at this dosage and duration as first-line therapy for rectal LGV in MSM.

Multiplex Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and Macrolide Resistance Using PlexZyme and PlexPrime Technology.

Mycoplasma genitalium is a cause of non-gonoccocal urethritis (NGU) in men and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Recent international data also indicated that the first line treatment, 1 gram stat azithromycin therapy, for M. genitalium is becoming less effective, with the corresponding emergence of macrolide resistant strains. Increasing failure rates of azithromycin for M. genitalium has significant implications for the presumptive treatment of NGU and international clinical treatment guidelines. Assays able to predict macrolide resistance along with detection of M. genitalium will be useful to enable appropriate selection of antimicrobials to which the organism is susceptible and facilitate high levels of rapid cure. One such assay recently developed is the MG 23S assay, which employs novel PlexZyme™ and PlexPrime™ technology. It is a multiplex assay for detection of M. genitalium and 5 mutations associated with macrolide resistance. The assay was evaluated in 400 samples from 254 (186 males and 68 females) consecutively infected participants, undergoing tests of cure. Using the MG 23S assay, 83% (331/440) of samples were positive, with 56% of positives carrying a macrolide resistance mutation. Comparison of the MG 23S assay to a reference qPCR method for M. genitalium detection and high resolution melt analysis (HRMA) and sequencing for detection of macrolide resistance mutations, resulted in a sensitivity and specificity for M. genitalium detection and for macrolide resistance of 99.1/98.5% and 97.4/100%, respectively. The MG 23S assay provides a considerable advantage in clinical settings through combined diagnosis and detection of macrolide resistance.

Persistence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA following treatment for pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea is influenced by antibiotic susceptibility and reinfection.

BACKGROUND: To guide interpretation of gonorrhea tests of cure using nucleic acid amplification testing, this study examined the persistence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA following treatment for pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea. METHODS: Men who had sex with men diagnosed with pharyngeal or rectal gonorrhea underwent swabbing from the pharynx or rectum 7 and 14 days following treatment. Repeat testing for N. gonorrhoeae was undertaken using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the opa gene and porA pseudogene. RESULTS: One hundred pharyngeal and 100 rectal gonorrhea infections in 190 men were included. For pharyngeal gonorrhea, positivity of N. gonorrhoeae DNA on both PCR assays was present at days 7 or 14 in 13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.4%-19.6%) and 8% (95% CI, 2.7%-13.3%), respectively. For rectal gonorrhea, DNA positivity was present in 6% (95% CI, 1.4%-10.7%) and 8% (95% CI, 2.7%-13.3%), respectively. Among 200 baseline pharyngeal and rectal isolates, there were 10 with ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥0.06 mg/L and azithromycin MIC ≥0.5 mg/L, of which 3 (30%) had DNA detected at day 14; among the 190 isolates with lower ceftriaxone and azithromycin MICs, only 13 (7%) had persistent DNA (odds ratio, 5.8 [95% CI, 1.3-25.4]; P = .019). One man initially infected with N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence type 2400 had type 4244 infection at day 14, indicating reinfection. CONCLUSIONS: Pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea DNA persisted in 8% of men 14 days after treatment. Persistence was associated with elevated ceftriaxone and azithromycin MICs. Persistence can also reflect reinfection.

Macrolide resistance and azithromycin failure in a Mycoplasma genitalium-infected cohort and response of azithromycin failures to alternative antibiotic regimens.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the efficacy of 1 g azithromycin and alternative antibiotic regimens in a prospective cohort of Mycoplasma genitalium-infected participants, and factors associated with azithromycin failure. METHODS: Consecutive eligible M. genitalium-infected men and women attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between July 2012 and June 2013 were treated with 1 g of azithromycin and retested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on days 14 and 28. Cure was defined as PCR negative on day 28. Cases failing azithromycin were treated with moxifloxacin, and those failing moxifloxacin were treated with pristinamycin. Pre- and posttreatment samples were assessed for macrolide resistance mutations (MRMs) by high-resolution melt analysis. Mycoplasma genitalium samples from cases failing moxifloxacin were sequenced for fluoroquinolone resistance mutations. Multivariable analysis was used to examine associations with azithromycin failure. RESULTS: Of 155 participants treated with 1 g azithromycin, 95 (61% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 53%-69%]) were cured. Pretreatment MRM was detected in 56 (36% [95% CI, 28%-43%]) participants, and strongly associated with treatment failure (87% [95% CI, 76%-94%]; adjusted odds ratio, 47.0 [95% CI, 17.1-129.0]). All 11 participants who had MRM detected in posttreatment samples failed azithromycin. Moxifloxacin was effective in 53(88% [95% CI, 78%-94%]) of 60 cases failing azithromycin; all failures had gyrA and parC mutations detected in pretreatment samples. Six of 7 patients failing moxifloxacin treatment received pristinamycin, and all were PCR negative 28 days after pristinamycin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We report a high azithromycin failure rate (39%) in an M. genitalium-infected cohort in association with high levels of pretreatment macrolide resistance. Moxifloxacin failure occurred in 12% of patients who received moxifloxacin; all had pretreatment fluoroquinolone mutations detected. Pristinamycin was highly effective in treating macrolide- and quinolone-resistant strains.

Latent Tuberculosis screening using interferon-gamma release assays in an Australian HIV-infected cohort: is routine testing worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: There are limited data from high-income countries on the performance of interferon-gamma release assays in screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We analyzed the routine application of the Quantiferon-TB Gold (QFT-G) assay to detect and predict latent and active TB among HIV-infected patients in Australia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study included all HIV-infected patients attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Service between March 2003 and February 2011 who were screened for LTBI using QFT-G. Clinical data were analyzed in multivariable models to determine predictors for QFT-G positivity using logistic regression and active TB development using Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventeen HIV-infected patients had ≥1 QFT-G performed, of whom 884 (96.4%) were negative, 29 (3.2%) positive, and 4 (0.4%) indeterminate. The mean age was 40.9 years and 88% were male, with median follow-up of 26.4 (interquartile range 15.4-30.7) months. Five hundred fifty (63%) were Australian born, whereas 198 (23%) were born in Asia or Africa. QFT-G was positive in 2.0% of Australian-born, 5.3% of overseas-born [odds ratio: 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2 to 5.6, P = 0.017], and 12.7% of African-born patients (odds ratio 7.1, 95% CI: 2.9 to 17.3, P < 0.001). Two cases of culture-positive TB occurred after QFT-G screening in 3.4% of QFT-G-positive and 0.1% of QFT-G-negative patients (adjusted hazard ratio: 42.4, 95% CI: 2.2 to 827, P = 0.013), a rate of 111 (95% CI: 27.8 to 445) per 100,000 person-years. CONCLUSIONS: In this context, QFT-G has a high negative predictive (99.9%) value with few indeterminate results. A risk stratification approach to LTBI screening, where HIV-infected patients with epidemiological risk factors for TB infection undergo QFT-G testing, might be clinically appropriate and potentially cost effective in similar settings.

The etiology of infectious proctitis in men who have sex with men differs according to HIV status.

We compared the spectrum of pathogens responsible for infectious proctitis between HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men. Only 32% of men with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-associated proctitis had visible external anal ulceration.The etiology of infectious proctitis among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men is as follows: chlamydia (23.4% vs. 21.7%, P = 0.7), gonorrhea (13.4% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.5), HSV-1 (14.2% vs. 6.5%, P = 0.04), HSV-2 (22% vs. 12.3%, P = 0.03), lymphogranuloma venereum (7.8% vs. 0.7%, P = 0.004), and multiple infections (17.7% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.017). Thirty-two percent with HSV proctitis had external anal ulceration.

Syphilis infection among homosexual men reporting contact with syphilis: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: High rates of syphilis have been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) internationally. Guidelines recommend presumptive treatment of sexual contacts of individuals with syphilis at the point of care. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion who were infected with syphilis and the factors predictive of infection among men reporting contact with a man with syphilis. DESIGN: Contacts who were syphilis infected (cases) were compared with those who were uninfected (controls). SETTING: This study was conducted at the main public sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-two MSM presenting as sexual contacts of men with syphilis at a sexual health service in Melbourne, Australia, between July 2007 and October 2011 were assessed for syphilis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of MSM who are infected with syphilis and factors associated with infection. RESULTS: Of the 172 men who presented reporting contact with syphilis, 26 (15%, 95% CI 10 to 20%) had syphilis. One man had primary syphilis, 4 had secondary syphilis, while the remaining 21 had early latent syphilis. Infection was associated with unprotected anal sex over the prior 3 months (adjusted OR 6.1, 95% CI 1.4 to 26.8). CONCLUSIONS: One in seven men presenting as contacts of syphilis had syphilis infection, most of whom were latently infected. Contacts reporting recent unprotected anal sex were more likely to have syphilis.