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BACKGROUND: The primary objectives of this study were to assess utilization of sexual health services at a university's student health and wellness center and to determine whether the presence of a dedicated sexual health clinic (SHC) was associated with different utilization patterns for sexual health services when compared with primary care clinics. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients presenting to the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Student Health and Wellness Center for sexual health services between January 2015 and June 2019. Utilization of sexual health services, specifically sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, was compared between the dedicated SHC and primary care clinics. RESULTS: A total of 3081 cases were included. There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of male individuals and populations more burdened by STI tested for STI in the SHC (i.e., persons who identify as Black and younger female individual). We also observed a higher percentage of positive gonorrhea and chlamydia test results and a greater likelihood of extragenital screening in men who have sex with men in the SHC. CONCLUSIONS: The dedicated SHC within the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Student Health and Wellness Center was associated with an increase in STI screenings. There was a significant difference between the demographics of those presenting to the SHC versus primary care clinics, proportionally more diagnoses of gonorrhea and chlamydia, and, for men who have sex with men, more extragenital screenings performed in the SHC. These findings suggest that there may be a benefit of an embedded SHC in college and university health and wellness centers.
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Infecções por Chlamydia , Gonorreia , Infecções por HIV , Saúde Sexual , Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Gonorreia/diagnóstico , Homossexualidade Masculina , Estudos Retrospectivos , Universidades , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/diagnóstico , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Programas de Rastreamento , Infecções por Chlamydia/diagnóstico , Comportamento Sexual , Infecções por HIV/diagnósticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The National Network of Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) trains clinical providers to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographics of clinical providers and to correlate the number of training episodes with STI rates at the county level. METHODS: Registration data were collected between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2020, in a custom Learning Management System from clinical providers taking NNPTC training. Using the 2018 STI surveillance data, counties were divided into quartiles based on reportable STI case rates and the number of county-level training events was compared per quartile. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (Armonk, NY) and SAS Enterprise Guide 7.1 (Cary, NC). RESULTS: From 2015 to 2020, the NNPTC trained 21,327 individuals, predominantly in the nursing professions and working in a public health environment. In multivariate analysis, the number of training events was significantly associated with higher STI rates at the county level (P < 0.0001) and the state where a prevention training center is located (P < 0001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis suggests that NNPTC trainings are reaching the clinical providers working in geographic areas with higher STI rates.
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Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis , Humanos , Saúde Pública , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/diagnóstico , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection remains highly prevalent, and young women are disproportionately affected. Most CT-infected women are asymptomatic, and their infection often goes unrecognized and untreated. We hypothesized that testing for active CT infection with molecular diagnostics and obtaining a reported history of CT infection underestimate the prevalence of current and past CT infection, and incorporating serum CT antibody testing in addition to these other prevalence measures would generate more accurate estimates of the prevalence of CT infection in asymptomatic young women. METHODS: We enrolled 362 asymptomatic women aged 16 to 29 years at 4 different clinical settings in Birmingham, AL, between August 2016 and January 2020 and determined the prevalence of CT infection based on having 1 or more of the following prevalence measures: an active urogenital CT infection based on molecular testing, reported prior CT infection, and/or being CT seropositive. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine predictors of the prevalence of CT infection after adjustment for participant characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of CT infection was 67.7% (95% confidence interval, 62.6%-72.5%). Addition of CT antibody testing to the other individual prevalence measures more than doubled the CT infection prevalence. Non-Hispanic Black race, reported prior gonorrhea, and reported prior trichomoniasis predicted a higher prevalence of CT infection. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of women were unaware of ever having CT infection, suggesting many were at risk for CT-associated reproductive complications. These data reinforce the need to adhere to chlamydia screening guidelines and to increase screening coverage in those at risk.
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Infecções por Chlamydia , Gonorreia , Infecções por Chlamydia/diagnóstico , Infecções por Chlamydia/epidemiologia , Chlamydia trachomatis , Feminino , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
We examined the acceptability and feasibility of using a 30-minute chlamydia/gonorrhea test in a student health clinical setting. One hundred eight students were enrolled and 89.4% were willing to wait up to 20 minutes beyond the conclusion of their routine visit. The average amount of time added per clinic visit was less than 11 minutes. Patient and staff satisfaction were high.
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Programas de Rastreamento/psicologia , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/psicologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/diagnóstico , Serviços de Saúde para Estudantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudantes/psicologia , Alabama , Infecções por Chlamydia/diagnóstico , Técnicas de Laboratório Clínico/estatística & dados numéricos , Gonorreia/diagnóstico , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/microbiologia , Estudantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Background: GEN-003 is a candidate therapeutic vaccine for genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). We compared virologic and clinical impact of varying GEN-003 doses. Methods: Adults with symptomatic HSV-2 received placebo or GEN-003 (30 or 60 µg antigen with 25, 50, or 75 µg adjuvant). Viral shedding and lesion rates before vaccination were compared with those measured immediately after vaccination, then at weeks 29-33 and 53-57 after last dose. Results: Compared with baseline shedding rates, the rate ratios for viral shedding immediately after treatment were as follows: 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-1.36), 30 µg antigen/25 µg adjuvant (30/25) dose; 0.64 (95% CI, 0.45-0.92), 30/50 dose; 0.63 (95% CI, 0.37-1.10), 30/75 dose; 0.56 (95% CI, 0.36-0.88), 60/25 dose; 0.58 (95% CI, 0.38-0.89), 60/50 dose; 0.45 (95% CI, 0.16-0.79), 60/75 dose; and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.76-1.26), placebo. Lesion rate reductions by GEN-003 ranged from 31% to 69%, but lesion rates also decreased among placebo recipients (62%). Reductions in shedding and lesion rate were durable for 12 months for the 60 µg antigen plus 50 or 75 µg adjuvant groups. No serious adverse events occurred with vaccination. Conclusions: The most efficacious vaccine combinations for GEN-003 were the 60 µg/50 µg and 60 µg/75 µg doses.
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Herpes Genital/terapia , Herpesvirus Humano 2/imunologia , Imunoterapia , Vacinas Virais/uso terapêutico , Adjuvantes Imunológicos , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Herpes Genital/virologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Vacinação , Vacinas Virais/administração & dosagem , Eliminação de Partículas Virais , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The Southeast has high rates of church attendance and HIV infection rates. We evaluated the relationship between church attendance and HIV viremia in a Southeastern US, HIV-infected cohort. Viremia (viral load ≥200 copies/ml) was analyzed 12 months after initiation of care. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fit for variables potentially related to viremia. Of 382 patients, 74 % were virally suppressed at 12 months. Protective variables included church attendance (AOR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.2, 0.9), being on antiretroviral therapy (AOR 0.01; 95 % CI 0.004, 0.04), CD4(+) T lymphocyte count 200-350 cells/mm(3) at care entry (AOR 0.3; 95 % 0.1, 0.9), and education (AOR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.2, 0.9). Variables predicting viremia included black race (AOR 3.2; 95 % CI 1.4, 7.4) and selective disclosure of HIV status (AOR 2.7; 95 % CI 1.2, 5.6). Church attendance may provide needed support for patients entering HIV care for the first time.
El Sur Este de los Estados Unidos tiene tasas altas de visitas a iglesias y de infección por VIH. Evaluamos la relación entre visitas a iglesias y viremia por VIH en una cohorte de pacientes infectados con VIH en el Sur Este de los EEUU. La viremia (carga viral ≥ 200 copias/ml) fue analizada a los 12 meses de iniciar el cuidado médico. Los modelos de regresión logística univariado y multivariado fueron ajustados para variables potencialmente relacionadas a viremia. De 382 pacientes, 75 % tuvieron supresión virológica a los 12 meses. Variables que ofrecieron protección fueron visitas a iglesias (AOR 0.5; IC95 % 0.2-0.9), recibir terapia antiretroviral (AOR 0.01; IC95 % 0.004,0.04), recuento de linfocitos T CD4 + 200-350 al iniciar cuidado médico (AOR 0.3; IC95 % 0.1,09), y educación (AOR 0.5; IC95 % 0.2,0.9). Las variables que predijeron viremia incluyeron raza negra (AOR 3.2; IC95 % 1.4,7.4) y la comunicación selectiva del diagnóstico de VIH a otras personas (AOR 2.7; 95 % IC 1.2, 5.6). El asistir a iglesias puede proveer un suporte a los pacientes que inician cuidado médico por infección por VIH.
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Fármacos Anti-HIV/uso terapêutico , População Negra/psicologia , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Religião , Espiritualidade , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Humanos , Apoio Social , Carga ViralRESUMO
Persons receiving effective HIV treatment experience longevity and improvement in quality of life. For those infected, social support is associated with improved medication adherence. Disclosure of infection status is likely a prerequisite for social support. However, little research describes patterns of HIV disclosure by infected persons. We retrospectively evaluated factors associated with disclosure among patients initiating HIV care at a university-based clinic from 2007 to 2012. Of 490 persons initiating care, 13 % had not disclosed their HIV infection to anyone. Black race significantly predicted non-disclosure and persons living with a significant other or friends were more likely to have disclosed their HIV infection versus those living alone. CD4 + T lymphocyte count <200 was associated with nondisclosure and disclosure only to family members. Future research is needed to better understand factors associated with disclosure of HIV infection status, because this could enhance receipt of social support and contribute to improved HIV health outcomes.
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Etnicidade/psicologia , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Soropositividade para HIV/psicologia , Autorrevelação , Apoio Social , Revelação da Verdade , Adulto , Alabama , Contagem de Linfócito CD4 , Etnicidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por HIV/etnologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Carga ViralRESUMO
Epidemiologic links between chronic hepatitis C and herpes simplex type-2 infection have been suggested; however, type-specific tests for HSV-2 infection have not been validated in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. The Focus HerpeSelect(®) HSV-2 IgG (Cypress, California) assay and the Biokit HSV-2 rapid assay (Biokit USA, Lexington, MA) were performed on serum samples obtained from 84 veterans with chronic hepatitis C who demonstrated a previously positive HSV-2 serologic test in their medical records. Using the Biokit HSV-2 as the comparator assay, the positive predictive value, and specificity for the HerpeSelect(®) HSV-2 assay were 62.1% (95%CI: 49.3-73.8) and 41.9% (95%CI: 27.0-57.9), respectively. Increasing the HerpeSelect(®) HSV-2 index value defining a positive test result from >1.1 to ≥2.89 increased the assay's specificity to 97.7% (95%CI: 87.7-99.6) and the positive predictive value to 94.1%(95%CI: 71.2-99.0). J. Med. Virol. 9999: 1-5, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. In veterans with chronic hepatitis C infection, HerpeSelect(®) HSV-2 index values between 1.1 and 2.89 should be confirmed with an alternate test for HSV-2 infection.
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Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Hepatite C Crônica/complicações , Herpes Simples/diagnóstico , Herpesvirus Humano 2/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Testes Sorológicos/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , VeteranosRESUMO
We demonstrate an interdependent relationship between sexual behavior and church attendance on timing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis and presentation for care. Men who have sex with men (MSM) and who attend church are more likely to present with lower CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts than MSM who do not attend church.
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Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Homossexualidade Masculina , Religião , Adulto , Contagem de Linfócito CD4 , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the shift of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 to a Pass/Fail (P/F) scoring system impacts the perceptions of Urology Program Directors (PDs) on evaluating urology residency applicants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional survey was sent to 117 PDs, including questions about program characteristics, perceptions of shelf scores and medical school rank post-transition, beliefs about the predictive value of Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores for board success and residency performance, and changes in applicant parameter ranking. RESULTS: Forty-five PDs (38% response rate) participated. Notably, 49% favored releasing quantitative clerkship grades, and 71% valued medical school rank more. Opinions on Step 1 scores' correlation with board success were split (49% agreed), and 44% endorsed Step 2 CK scores' connection to board performance. As predictors of good residents, only 9% and 22% considered Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores, respectively, indicative. Clerkship grades and Urology rotation recommendation letters maintained significance, while research experience gained importance. Step 2 CK scores' importance rose but did not match Step 1 scores' previous significance. CONCLUSION: The transition to P/F for USMLE Step 1 adds intricacies to urology residency selection, exposing PDs' uncertainties regarding clerkship grades and the relevance of medical school rank. This research underscores the dynamic nature of urology residency admissions, emphasizing the increasing importance of research in evaluating applicants and a diminishing emphasis on volunteering and leadership.
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Avaliação Educacional , Internato e Residência , Licenciamento em Medicina , Urologia , Urologia/educação , Estudos Transversais , Estados Unidos , Humanos , Licenciamento em Medicina/normas , Avaliação Educacional/métodos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess diagnostic and interventional radiology resident physicians' knowledge of core facets of financial literacy: loans, real estate, investments and retirement, and insurance, with the goal of determining the need for formal financial literacy education within radiology residency programs. METHODS: From May 2021 to March 2022, surveys were sent to 196 diagnostic and 90 interventional radiology residency programs. Residents were asked 10 knowledge multiple choice questions to assess areas of financial literacy. Custom R programming was used to evaluate responses. RESULTS: A total of 149 diagnostic radiology residents and 49 interventional radiology residents responded to portions of the survey, for a total of 198 respondents. Of the cohort with demographic data collected, 84 out of 141 residents (60 %) had over $100,000 of debt following medical school graduation, with 115 out of 146 DR residents (79 %) and 41 out of 47 (87 %) IR residents reporting no coursework in finance. CONCLUSIONS: Many radiology resident physicians have a significant debt burden, no official financial education, and clear knowledge gaps in areas of financial literacy. A structured financial education curriculum could better prepare residents for the financial realities of post-residency life.
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Internato e Residência , Radiologia Intervencionista , Humanos , Radiologia Intervencionista/educação , Alfabetização , Educação de Pós-Graduação em Medicina , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Transgender men (TGM) are underrepresented in genital microbiome research. Our prospective study in Birmingham, AL investigated genital microbiota changes over time in TGM initiating testosterone, including the development of incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV). Here, we present lessons learned from recruitment challenges encountered during the conduct of this study. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were assigned female sex at birth, TGM or non-binary identity, age ≥18 years, interested in injectable testosterone but willing to wait 7 days after enrollment before starting, and engaged with a testosterone-prescribing provider. Exclusion criteria were recent antibiotic use, HIV/STI infection, current vaginal infection, pregnancy, or past 6 months testosterone use. Recruitment initiatives included community advertisements via flyers, social media posts, and referrals from local gender health clinics. RESULTS: Between February 2022 and October 2023, 61 individuals contacted the study, 17 (27.9%) completed an in-person screening visit, and 10 (58.8%) of those screened were enrolled. The primary reasons for individuals failing study screening were having limited access to testosterone-prescribing providers, already being on testosterone, being unwilling to wait 7 days to initiate testosterone therapy, or desiring the use of topical testosterone. Engagement of non-White TGM was also minimal. CONCLUSION: Despite robust study inquiry by TGM, screening and enrollment challenges were faced including engagement by TGM not yet in care and specific study eligibility criteria. Excitement among TGM for research representation should be leveraged in future work by engaging transgender community stakeholders at the inception of study development, particularly regarding feasibility of study inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as recruitment of TGM of color. These results also highlight the need for more clinical resources for prescribing gender-affirming hormone therapy, especially in the Southeastern US.
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Microbiota , Pessoas Transgênero , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Microbiota/efeitos dos fármacos , Testosterona/administração & dosagem , Sudeste dos Estados Unidos , Seleção de Pacientes , Estudos Prospectivos , Vaginose Bacteriana/tratamento farmacológico , Vaginose Bacteriana/microbiologia , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Genital herpes (GH) is a sexually transmitted infection causing recurrent, self-limited genital, buttock, and thigh ulcerations. Symptoms range from unrecognized or mild to severe with frequent recurrences. Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type-1 or type-2 cause GH. HSV establishes latency in sacral ganglia and causes lifelong infection. Viral reactivation leads to genital ulceration or asymptomatic shedding which may lead to transmission. HSV infection during pregnancy can cause fulminant hepatitis and neonatal transmission. Severe and atypical manifestations are seen in immunocompromised people. Guanosine analogs treat symptoms and prevent recurrences, shedding, and transmission. Novel preventive and therapeutic strategies are in development.
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Herpes Genital , Herpes Simples , Herpesvirus Humano 1 , Gravidez , Feminino , Recém-Nascido , Humanos , Herpes Genital/tratamento farmacológico , Herpes Genital/diagnóstico , Herpes Genital/prevenção & controle , Herpes Simples/tratamento farmacológico , Recidiva , Herpesvirus Humano 2RESUMO
Background: Beginning January 26th, 2022, the National Board of Medical Examiners transitioned scoring of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 from a 3-digit score to pass/fail. In the past, the Step 1 score has been weighted heavily by program directors (PDs) as one of the most important metrics when assessing medical student's competitiveness. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of emergency medicine (EM) PDs on the transition to a pass/fail USMLE Step 1 exam, and to elicit the opinions of EM PDs on the USMLE examinations' ability to predict resident performance. Methods: A survey consisting of ranking and multiple-choice questions was sent to EM PDs. The multiple-choice questions were asked to determine EM PDs level of confidence in the ability of Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) to predict a student's ability to succeed in residency. The ranking questions focused on assessing each program's current resident selection practices in comparison to expected selection criteria changes following a transition to pass/fail Step 1. R studio and MATLAB were used for statistical analysis, and a P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The survey was completed by 57 (20.21%) EM PDs. When asked if Step 1 and Step 2 CK are accurate predictors of a resident's ability to perform clinically within EM, only 10.5% of PDs answered 'yes' to Step 1 being predictive, compared to 31.6% for Step 2 CK. Regarding selection criteria, the top quartile of attributes (standardized letters of evaluation [1st], away rotations [2nd], clerkship grades [3rd] and Step 2 CK score [4th]) remained the same following the transition. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the top quartile of attributes might remain the same, despite most PDs agreeing that Step 2 CK is a better predictor of a resident's performance.
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Beginning 26 January 2022, the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 changed from a numerical score to Pass/Fail. Historically, residency programs have used Step 1 scores as a valuable metric in assessing the competitiveness of applicants. We assessed how residency program criteria will change when evaluating applicants after Step 1 becomes Pass/Fail. A survey was distributed to the program directors of all 144 pathology residency programs accredited by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Survey questions evaluated the importance of using Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores when assessing applicants. Participants were asked to rank a list of applicant criteria used before and after Step 1 becomes Pass/Fail. Data were analyzed using chi-squared and paired t-tests with significance at P < 0.05. A total of 34 residency program directors (23.6%) responded to the survey. 76.5% (P< 0.001) of responders believed Step 1 scores were able to predict a resident's ability to pass their board exams, while 41.2% believed Step 2 CK could predict a resident's ability to pass board exams and perform clinically in pathology (P = 0.282). 61.8% of responders agreed that an applicant's medical school ranking would become more important (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the relative importance of 16 selection criteria after the change of Step 1 to Pass/Fail. It does not appear that Step 2 CK will become more important. Although results are constrained by a 23.6% response rate, it can be a start to guiding future students through residency applications.
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Objectives In February 2020, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) announced that the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 licensing examination would change from a numerical score to Pass/Fail (P/F). After implementation, many believe that USMLE-Step 2-Clinical Knowledge (CK) will become an important metric for students applying to otolaryngology (ENT). The purpose of this study is to determine factors important to resident selection after these changes. Methods A survey containing 15 questions related to resident selection practices and how changing USMLE Step 1 to P/F would impact future resident selection was designed. It was distributed to all ENT residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Results Forty percent of programs responded; 66% (95% confidence interval (CI): 51.1%-78.4%) felt that changing Step 1 scoring would not lead to students being more prepared for clinical rotations; 55% believe class rank will increase in significance (95% CI: 35.7%-64.3%). There was also an increase in the importance of Step 2 CK, which had a mean ranking of 10.67 prior to changes in Step 1 scoring and increased to 7.80 after P/F. Conclusions The changes in Step 1 scoring will likely lead to increasing importance of other objective measures like class rank or Step 2 CK. This may defeat the intended purpose put forth by the NBME. Therefore, further guidance on measures correlated with student performance as a resident will be integral to the selection process.
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INTRODUCTION: The effect of testosterone (T) therapy on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men (TGM) is not well characterised, although one cross-sectional study comparing the vaginal microbiota of cisgender women to TGM on T≥1 year found that, in 71% of the TGM, the vaginal microbiota was less likely to be Lactobacillus-dominated and more likely to be enriched with >30 other bacterial species, many associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). This prospective study aims to investigate changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota over time in TGM who retain their natal genitalia (ie, vagina) and initiate T. In addition, we will identify changes in the vaginal microbiota preceding incident BV (iBV) in this cohort while investigating behavioural factors, along with hormonal shifts, which may be associated with iBV. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: T-naïve TGM who have not undergone gender-affirming genital surgery with normal baseline vaginal microbiota (ie, no Amsel criteria, normal Nugent Score with no Gardnerella vaginalis morphotypes) will self-collect daily vaginal specimens for 7 days prior to initiating T and for 90 days thereafter. These specimens will be used for vaginal Gram stain, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterise shifts in the vaginal microbiota over time, including development of iBV. Participants will complete daily diaries on douching, menses and behavioural factors including sexual activity during the study. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol is approved through the single Institutional Review Board mechanism by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. External relying sites are the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans Human Research Protection Program and the Indiana University Human Research Protection Program. Study findings will be presented at scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals as well as shared with community advisory boards at participating gender health clinics and community-based organisations servicing transgender people. REGISTRATION DETAILS: Protocol # IRB-300008073.
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Microbiota , Pessoas Transgênero , Vaginose Bacteriana , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Vaginose Bacteriana/tratamento farmacológico , Vaginose Bacteriana/microbiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Testosterona , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Estudos Transversais , Vagina/microbiologia , Estudos Observacionais como AssuntoRESUMO
We evaluated herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) sero- positivity in an HIV clinic- based population with CD4 lymphocytes counts ≥250 cells/µL and no previous knowledge of HSV-2 infection by history of serology. We demonstrate that although the seroprevalence of HSV-2 is higher in this HIV-infected population, predictors of HSV-2 seropositivity are similar to those in the general population.
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Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/epidemiologia , Usuários de Drogas/estatística & dados numéricos , Soropositividade para HIV/epidemiologia , Herpes Genital/epidemiologia , Herpesvirus Humano 2/isolamento & purificação , Comportamento Sexual/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS/diagnóstico , Anticorpos Antivirais , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos , Infecções por Chlamydia/epidemiologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Gonorreia/epidemiologia , Soropositividade para HIV/diagnóstico , HIV-1 , Herpes Genital/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Programas de Rastreamento , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Sífilis/epidemiologia , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Genital Herpes is common, causes a broad spectrum of clinical disease, and enhances susceptibility to other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Accurate diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus infection is important in surveillance, diagnosis and management, screening, and quality assurance. We have reviewed currently available herpes diagnostics and their appropriate use.
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Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a defect in the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC). This leads to the accumulation of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which can cause neurotoxicity. Patients with MSUD are carefully managed from birth with dietary restrictions and can acutely decompensate in the setting of infections or injury. We present the case of a 29-year-old female with a history of MSUD and rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate and adalimumab who presented to our emergency department with symptoms suggestive of a metabolic crisis including nausea, vomiting, and presyncope. She was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and admitted. An initial leucine level was mildly elevated at 253 µmol/L, consistent with her underlying metabolic condition. She was placed on an infusion of normal saline and 10% Dextrose (D10) in addition to a protein-restricted sick-day diet. Remdesivir therapy was initiated due to her immunocompromised status and high risk for decompensation but had to be discontinued due to nausea and vomiting that negatively impacted the patient's oral intake. Her leucine level peaked at 647 µmol/L; however, her neurologic examination remained benign without signs of cerebral edema. With prompt involvement of our metabolic genetics team and initiation of intravenous fluids and the sick-day diet protocol, we avoided a metabolic crisis. The patient was discharged on day 5 of hospitalization with no complications from COVID-19 infection. This case highlights the individualized approach to the treatment of COVID-19 infection in a patient with a metabolic disorder. COVID-19 infection in the setting of MSUD has only been reported in two prior publications, one being a severe metabolic crisis with neurologic involvement. Fortunately, our patient experienced a mild case of COVID-19 without significant respiratory symptoms, and we were able to prevent a metabolic crisis during admission.