Evaluation of Self-Collected Versus Health Care Professional (HCP)-Performed Sampling and the Potential Impact on the Diagnostic Results of Asymptomatic Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in High-Risk Individuals.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Screening can improve the detection and outcome of asymptomatic STIs in high-risk populations. Self-sampling may be a resource-optimized strategy; however, its diagnostic reliability compared to testing by healthcare professionals (HCPs) requires further investigation. In this prospective, multicenter cohort study in a high-income country, asymptomatic MSM with a sexual risk profile for STIs were included. Sequential swabs for STI nucleic acid-based diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) were performed after randomization, either through self-sampling or HCP-performed sampling. Baseline demographic information, sexual risk behavior, and acceptance and feedback on self-sampling were recorded using an electronic questionnaire. Out of 236 asymptomatic MSM, 47 individuals (19.9%) tested positive for CT and/or NG through self- or HCP-performed sampling. For CT, the sensitivity was 93.3% for both sampling methods, while for NG, it was 90.0% for self-sampling and 95.0% for HCP-performed sampling. Our study demonstrates that self-sampling for asymptomatic STIs has a comparable diagnostic outcome to HCP-performed sampling, with high acceptance in high-risk MSM.

Prevalence, characteristics and challenges of late HIV diagnosis in Germany: an expert narrative review.

PURPOSE: We aimed to review the landscape of late HIV diagnosis in Germany and discuss persisting and emerging barriers to earlier diagnosis alongside potential solutions. METHODS: We searched PubMed for studies informing the prevalence, trends, and factors associated with late HIV diagnosis in Germany. Author opinions were considered alongside relevant data. RESULTS: In Germany, older individuals, heterosexuals, and migrants living with HIV are more likely to be diagnosed late. The rate of late diagnosis in men who have sex with men (MSM), however, continues to decrease. Indicator conditions less often prompt HIV testing in women and non-MSM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the absolute number of late diagnoses fell in Germany, but the overall proportion increased, probably reflecting lower HIV testing rates. The Ukraine war and subsequent influx of Ukrainians living with HIV may have substantially increased undiagnosed HIV cases in Germany. Improved indicator testing (based on unbiased assessments of patient risk) and universal testing could help reduce late diagnoses. In patients who receive a late HIV diagnosis, rapid treatment initiation with robust ART regimens, and management and prevention of opportunistic infections, are recommended owing to severely compromised immunity and increased risks of morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: Joint efforts are needed to ensure that UNAIDS 95-95-95 2030 goals are met in Germany. These include greater political will, increased funding of education and testing campaigns (from government institutions and the pharmaceutical industry), continued education about HIV testing by HIV experts, and broad testing support for physicians not routinely involved in HIV care.

Clinical characteristics of monkeypox virus infections among men with and without HIV: A large outbreak cohort in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Since May 2022, increasing numbers of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections have been reported from across Europe and North America. Studies, mainly from Africa, have suggested a higher risk for severe MPXV cases in people living with HIV. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of all confirmed MPXV infections observed in the participating centres since 19 May 2022. We conducted a chart review to evaluate clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and coinfections, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). RESULTS: By 30 June 2022, a total of 546 MPXV infections were reported from 42 German centres. All patients were men who have sex with men (MSM), of whom 256 (46.9%) were living with HIV, mostly with a preserved immune system and with viral suppression. In total, 232 (42.5%) MSM were also taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and 58 (10.6%) MSM had no known HIV infection or PrEP use. The median age was 39 years (range 20-67), and comorbidities were rare. However, 52.4% and 29.4% of all patients had been diagnosed with at least one STI within the last 6 months or within the last 4 weeks, respectively. The most frequent localizations of MPXV infection were genital (49.9%) and anal (47.9%), whereas fever (53.2%) and lymphadenopathy (42.6%) were the most frequent general symptoms. The hospitalization rate was low (4.0%), and no fatal course was observed. The clinical picture showed no apparent differences between MSM with or without HIV. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary cohort analysis from a current large outbreak among MSM in Germany, the clinical picture of MPXV infection did not differ between MSM with and without HIV infection. Severe courses were rare and hospitalization rates were low. However, most patients were relatively healthy, and only a few people living with HIV were viremic or severely immunosuppressed.

Low incidence of HIV infection and decreasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections among PrEP users in 2020 in Germany.

INTRODUCTION: Objectives of this study, as part of a nation-wide HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) evaluation project, were to determine the incidence of infections with HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis A/B/C in persons using PrEP, and to describe the health care funded PrEP use in Germany. Additionally, factors associated with chlamydia/gonorrhea and syphilis infections were assessed. METHODS: Anonymous data of PrEP users were collected at 47 HIV-specialty centers from 09/2019-12/2020. Incidence rates were calculated per 100 person years (py). Using longitudinal mixed models, we analyzed risk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). RESULTS: 4620 PrEP users were included: 99.2% male, median age 38 years (IQR 32-45), 98.6% men who have sex with men (MSM). The median duration of PrEP exposure was 451 days (IQR 357-488), totaling 5132 py. Four HIV infections were diagnosed, incidence rate 0,078/100py (95% CI 0.029-0.208). For two, suboptimal adherence was reported and in the third case, suboptimal adherence and resistance to emtricitabine were observed. One infection was likely acquired before PrEP start. Incidence rates were 21.6/100py for chlamydia, 23.7/100py for gonorrhea, 10.1/100py for syphilis and 55.4/100py for any STI and decreased significantly during the observation period. 65.5% of syphilis, 55.6% of chlamydia and 50.1% of gonorrhea cases were detected by screening of asymptomatic individuals. In a multivariable analysis among MSM younger age, PrEP start before health insurance coverage and daily PrEP were associated with greater risk for chlamydia/gonorrhea. Symptom triggered testing and a history of STI were associated with a higher risk for chlamydia/gonorrhea and syphilis. A significantly lower risk for chlamydia/gonorrhea and syphilis was found for observations during the COVID-19 pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: We found that HIV-PrEP is almost exclusively used by MSM in Germany. A very low incidence of HIV infection and decreasing incidence rates of STIs were found in this cohort of PrEP users. The results were influenced by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Rollout of PrEP covered by health insurance should be continued to prevent HIV infections. Increased PrEP availability to people at risk of HIV infection through the elimination of barriers requires further attention. Investigation and monitoring with a longer follow-up would be of value.

Understanding and avoiding late presentation for HIV diagnosis - study protocol of a trial using mixed methods (FindHIV).

Many patients infected with HIV are diagnosed at an advanced stage of illness. These late presenters are individuals with a CD4 cell count of less than 350 cells/µL and/or an AIDS defining disease at initial HIV diagnosis. Purpose of FindHIV is to develop and distribute a questionnaire/scoring system aimed at a reduction in late presentation. FindHIV uses a mixed methods approach. In a first step, primary data of patients were collected. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 18 years, cognitive ability and language skills to participate in the study, initial HIV diagnosis within the past 6 months, and patient informed consent. Descriptive methods and regression models are used to identify: (1) patient characteristics associated with late presentation and (2) contacts to the healthcare system with indicator diseases that did not lead to HIV testing. Secondly, a questionnaire/scoring system is created by an expert panel. Afterwards the questionnaire/scoring system is to be disseminated. The greatest challenge was in reaching an adequate sample size. Another risk may be a recall bias. Nevertheless, FindHIV is devised as an in-depth study of the phenomenon of late presentation with potential to significantly improve HIV detection.

Knowledge and use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Berlin - A multicentre, cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has likely contributed to large decreases in HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in several major cities. Berlin has seen a smaller decline, and affordable PrEP has been accessible through formal channels in Germany only since autumn 2017. We aimed to investigate knowledge and use of PrEP among MSM in Berlin, and factors predictive of a desire to use PrEP and history of PrEP use. METHODS: Multicentre, paper-based, self-administered survey of adult MSM whose HIV status was negative or unknown at time of participation. Data were collected from 1 October 2017 to 2 April 2018. RESULTS: 473 of 875 questionnaires were returned (response rate 54.1%; mean age 37.4 years, range 18-79). 90.0% of participants were aware of PrEP and, of these, 48.2% felt well informed about it. Among the 17.2% of participants reporting PrEP use, 59.3% indicated obtaining some or all of it from informal sources. 23.7% of those with no history of PrEP use reported having condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with two or more partners over the past six months. Worries about side effects, cost, not having a doctor who prescribes it, and a lack of information were the most frequently reported barriers to PrEP use. A desire to use PrEP and history of PrEP use were associated in our multivariable model with having multiple CAI partners. A history of PrEP use was associated with having a university degree, one or two parents born outside Germany, or friends living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: We found high awareness of PrEP among MSM in Berlin, but also a strong need for more education on its pros, cons and proper use. The frequency of informal PrEP use was also high, raising urgent individual and public health concerns. Policy makers need to consider recent calls to improve access to PrEP and PrEP education through regular health services.

2017 European guideline for the screening, prevention and initial management of hepatitis B and C infections in sexual health settings.

This guideline updates the 2010 European guideline for the management of hepatitis B and C virus infections. It is primarily intended to provide advice on testing, prevention and initial management of viral hepatitis B and C for clinicians working in sexual health clinical settings in European countries. The guideline is in a new question and answer format based on clinical situations, from which population/intervention/comparison/outcome questions were formulated. Updates cover areas such as epidemiology, point-of-care tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C risk and 'chemsex', and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and hepatitis B. We have also included a short paragraph on hepatitis E noting there is no evidence for sexual transmission. The guideline has been prepared in accordance with the Europe protocol for production available at http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2017/ProtocolForProduction2017.pdf.