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The Lancet. Global Health Apr 2019Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. Previous reviews investigating the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. Previous reviews investigating the role of circumcision in preventing HIV and other STIs among MSM were inconclusive. Many new studies have emerged in the past decade. To inform global prevention strategies for HIV and other STIs among MSM, we reviewed all available evidence on the associations between circumcision and HIV and other STIs among MSM.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, BioMed Central, Scopus, ResearchGate, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and websites of international HIV and STI conferences for studies published before March 8, 2018. Interventional or observational studies containing original quantitative data describing associations between circumcision and incident or prevalent infection of HIV and other STIs among MSM were included. Studies were excluded if MSM could not be distinguished from men who have sex with women only. We calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs using random-effect models. We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
FINDINGS
We identified 62 observational studies including 119 248 MSM. Circumcision was associated with 23% reduced odds of HIV infection among MSM overall (OR 0·77, 95% CI 0·67-0·89; number of estimates [k]=45; heterogeneity I=77%). Circumcision was protective against HIV infection among MSM in countries of low and middle income (0·58, 0·41-0·83; k=23; I=77%) but not among MSM in high-income countries (0·99, 0·90-1·09; k=20; I=40%). Circumcision was associated with reduced odds of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection among MSM overall (0·84, 0·75-0·95; k=5; I=0%) and penile human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among HIV-infected MSM (0·71, 0·51-0·99; k=3; I=0%).
INTERPRETATION
We found evidence that circumcision is likely to protect MSM from HIV infection, particularly in countries of low and middle income. Circumcision might also protect MSM from HSV and penile HPV infection. MSM should be included in campaigns promoting circumcision among men in countries of low and middle income. In view of the substantial proportion of MSM in countries of low and middle income who also have sex with women, well designed longitudinal studies differentiating MSM only and bisexual men are needed to clarify the effect of circumcision on male-to-male transmission of HIV and other STIs.
FUNDING
National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Science and Technology Major Project of China, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career Fellowship, Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen, National Institutes of Health, Mega Projects of National Science Research for the 13th Five-Year Plan, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Topics: Circumcision, Male; HIV Infections; Herpes Simplex; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PubMed: 30879508
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30567-9 -
Urologia Internationalis 2021Infection by COVID-19, being a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, can predispose to arterial and venous thrombotic disease, in response to excessive inflammation,...
Infection by COVID-19, being a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, can predispose to arterial and venous thrombotic disease, in response to excessive inflammation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and venous stasis. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the technological and resource availability for the care of these patients with thrombotic disease is critical, marking a factor of morbidity and poor prognosis in these cases. We describe a case of priapism in a patient with COVID-19, during the course of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and respiratory distress syndrome with a procoagulant state, seeking to relate the pathophysiological factors of ischemic priapism in patients with infection with SARS-Cov-2.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Ischemia; Male; Penile Erection; Penis; Priapism; Regional Blood Flow
PubMed: 34107472
DOI: 10.1159/000514421 -
BMC Medicine Jul 2018Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer in females. As HPV infections can also induce cancers of the anus, penis and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer in females. As HPV infections can also induce cancers of the anus, penis and oral cavity, male vaccination is also advocated, but systematic reviews on efficacy and safety in males are lacking.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review on the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of HPV vaccination in males of any age. MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to April 2017.
RESULTS
We identified 5196 articles and seven studies (four randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three non-randomized studies) were included, comprising a total of 5294 participants. Vaccine efficacy against at least 6-month persisting anogenital HPV 16 infections was 46.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 28.6-60.8%), whereas efficacy against persisting oral infections was 88% (2-98%). A vaccine efficacy of 61.9% (21.4-82.8%) and 46.8% (- 20 to -77.9%) was observed against anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and grade 3 lesions, respectively. No meaningful estimates were available on vaccine efficacy or effectiveness against penile intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3, and no data were identified for anal, penile or head and neck squamous cell cancer. In participants who were HPV-seronegative and PCR-negative at enrolment, efficacy against all outcomes was higher as compared to seropositive and/or PCR-positive individuals. Risk of bias was low in three RCTs and high in one, while the three non-randomized studies were at serious to critical risk of bias. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation evidence quality was moderate to low for most outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
HPV vaccination in males is moderately effective against persistent anogenital HPV infection and high-grade anal intraepithelial lesions in studies where the population consists mainly of HPV-infected males. Vaccine effectiveness was high in study groups comprising HPV-naïve males. This supports a recommendation for vaccination of boys before the onset of sexual activity with the goal of establishing optimal vaccine-induced protection. Mathematical modelling studies will still be needed to assess the effects of adding males to existing HPV vaccination programs in females.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration CRD42016038965 .
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 30016957
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1098-3 -
Nature Reviews. Urology Feb 2023
Topics: Male; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Penis
PubMed: 36481921
DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00700-3 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Aug 2016Practitioners and patients alike widely recognize the limitations of current therapeutic approaches to the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Options remain... (Review)
Review
Practitioners and patients alike widely recognize the limitations of current therapeutic approaches to the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Options remain extremely limited, and our inability to prevent the frequently, often relentless symptomatic recurrences of BV and to reduce serious sequelae such as preterm delivery, remains an acknowledged but unresolved shortcoming. Our incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of this unique form of vaginal dysbiosis has been a significant impediment to developing optimal treatment and prevention approaches. New drugs have not been forthcoming and are not likely to be available in the immediate future; hence, reliance on the optimal use of available agents has become essential as improvised often unproven regimens are implemented. In this review, we will explore the limitations of currently recommended therapies, with a particular focus on the contribution of reinfection and pathogen persistence to BV recurrence, and the development of interventions that target these mechanisms. Ultimately, to achieve sustained cure and effectiveness against BV-associated sequelae, it is possible that we will need approaches that combine antimicrobials with biofilm-disrupting agents and partner treatments in those at risk of reinfection.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms; Dysbiosis; Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Humans; Male; Penis; Recurrence; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 27449869
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiw159 -
PloS One 2018Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is reported to be present in 30-50% of penile cancer cases. The immunohistochemical test for p16INK4a is used as an indicator...
BACKGROUND
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is reported to be present in 30-50% of penile cancer cases. The immunohistochemical test for p16INK4a is used as an indicator of the presence of HPV and as a prognostic marker for squamous cell carcinomas in various sites. However, the role of this marker in penile carcinoma has not yet been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the expression of p16INK4a is associated with the presence of HPV, histological parameters, and survival in penile cancer.
METHODS
A study was conducted from 2014 to 2016 that included 55 patients with penile carcinoma. HPV DNA was detected through PCR using fresh tumor tissue, and immunohistochemistry was performed for analysis of p16INK4a protein using paraffin-embedded tissue. Evaluation of histological parameters was performed following complete embedding of the tumor tissue in paraffin.
RESULTS
HPV DNA (low-risk and high-risk genotypes) was found in 49 (89.1%) cases, and 46/49 (93.9%) showed high-oncogenic risk HPV (HR-HPV). Of the 22 cases positive for p16INK4a, HR-HPV DNA was present in 21 (95.5%) (p = 0.032). Regarding histological parameters, p16INK4a and HR-HPV were significantly associated only with tumor subtype (p = 0.036 and p = 0.032, respectively); all carcinomas with basaloid characteristics were positive for p16INK4a. Although HPV+ patients had a higher disease-free survival (p <0.001), p16INK4a expression was not associated with patient survival.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study, using fresh tissue samples, showed the highest incidence of HPV compared to that observed in the literature. Expression of the p16INK4a protein was significantly associated with the presence of HR-HPV and this expression may serve as a marker for the presence of the virus. The p16INK4a protein was not associated with the histological prognostic parameters, with the exception of tumor subtype, nor with patient survival. In the results, we showed that the objective of the present study was reached.
Topics: Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinogenesis; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genotype; Human papillomavirus 6; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Papillomavirus Infections; Penile Neoplasms
PubMed: 30312320
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205350 -
The Canadian Journal of Urology Apr 2021Prostate abscess (PA) is an uncommon prostatic infection, with risk factors including indwelling catheters, acute or chronic prostatitis, bladder outlet obstruction,...
Prostate abscess (PA) is an uncommon prostatic infection, with risk factors including indwelling catheters, acute or chronic prostatitis, bladder outlet obstruction, voiding dysfunction, recent urologic instrumentation (especially transrectal prostate biopsy), chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), intravenous drug use (IVDU), and hepatitis C. Treatment of PA consists of antibiotics and abscess drainage via transurethral resection (TUR) or image-guided transrectal or transperineal drainage. Numerous studies have demonstrated that TUR of PA has a higher success rate and shorter hospital length of stay when compared to image-guided drainage. Despite this, TUR of PA is a relatively uncommon surgery with few useful recommendations on how to best perform this procedure. We demonstrate the TUR surgical technique for drainage of a 6 cm loculated PA in a 44-year-old man with active IVDU and hepatitis C. The patient presented with progressive voiding symptoms, urinary retention, and leukocytosis. Given the size, loculated nature of the abscess, and its proximity to the prostatic urethra, we decided to proceed to the operating room for surgical drainage as opposed to image-guided transrectal drainage. Herein we describe the trans urethral technique. He clinically improved postoperatively and repeat imaging 4 days later showed decreased abscess size. Transurethral drainage of a PA is a safe, efficient, and effective treatment option. Treatment approach should depend on abscess size, location, and presence of loculations. Combining different endourologic techniques and instruments may be necessary.
Topics: Abscess; Adult; Humans; Male; Prostatic Diseases; Urethra; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male
PubMed: 33872565
DOI: No ID Found -
PLoS Pathogens Mar 2022Transmission bottlenecks introduce selection pressures on HIV-1 that vary with the mode of transmission. Recent studies on small cohorts have suggested that stronger...
Transmission bottlenecks introduce selection pressures on HIV-1 that vary with the mode of transmission. Recent studies on small cohorts have suggested that stronger selection pressures lead to fitter transmitted/founder (T/F) strains. Manifestations of this selection bias at the population level have remained elusive. Here, we analysed early CD4 cell count measurements reported from ∼340,000 infected heterosexual individuals (HET) and men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), across geographies, ethnicities and calendar years. The reduction in CD4 counts early in infection is reflective of the virulence of T/F strains. MSM and HET use predominant modes of transmission, namely, anal and penile-vaginal, with among the largest differences in the selection pressures at transmission across modes. Further, in most geographies, the groups show little inter-mixing, allowing for the differential selection bias to be sustained and amplified. We found that the early reduction in CD4 counts was consistently greater in HET than MSM (P<0.05). To account for inherent variations in baseline CD4 counts, we constructed a metric to quantify the extent of progression to AIDS as the ratio of the reduction in measured CD4 counts from baseline and the reduction associated with AIDS. We found that this progression corresponding to the early CD4 measurements was ∼68% for MSM and ∼87% for HET on average (P<10-4; Cohen's d, ds = 0.36), reflecting the more severe disease caused by T/F strains in HET than MSM at the population level. Interestingly, the set-point viral load was not different between the groups (ds<0.12), suggesting that MSM were more tolerant and not more resistant to their T/F strains than HET. This difference remained when we controlled for confounding factors using multivariable regression. We concluded that the different selection pressures at transmission have resulted in more virulent T/F strains in HET than MSM. These findings have implications for our understanding of HIV-1 pathogenesis, evolution, and epidemiology.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Female; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; HIV-1; Heterosexuality; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities
PubMed: 35271687
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010319 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jul 2021This is a case report of a 62-year-old male who had penile augmentation surgery performed in Turkey. The surgery was complicated by infection and necrosis of the penile...
This is a case report of a 62-year-old male who had penile augmentation surgery performed in Turkey. The surgery was complicated by infection and necrosis of the penile skin. The patient was treated with antibiotics, repeated wound debridement and a full thickness skin graft. Cosmetic penile surgery is considered controversial due to poor results and severe complications. Most men who seek surgery have normal penile size and may show signs of body dysmorphic disorder with avoidance behaviour and erectile dysfunction. These patients should be offered psychological treatment.
Topics: Erectile Dysfunction; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Penis; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Skin Transplantation; Surgery, Plastic
PubMed: 34356009
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2022In the case of pediatric urology there are several congenital conditions, such as hypospadias and neurogenic bladder, which affect, respectively, the urethra and the... (Review)
Review
In the case of pediatric urology there are several congenital conditions, such as hypospadias and neurogenic bladder, which affect, respectively, the urethra and the urinary bladder. In fact, the gold standard consists of a urethroplasty procedure in the case of urethral malformations and enterocystoplasty in the case of urinary bladder disorders. However, both surgical procedures are associated with severe complications, such as fistulas, urethral strictures, and dehiscence of the repair or recurrence of chordee in the case of urethroplasty, and metabolic disturbances, stone formation, urine leakage, and chronic infections in the case of enterocystoplasty. With the aim of overcoming the issue related to the lack of sufficient and appropriate autologous tissue, increasing attention has been focused on tissue engineering. In this review, both the urethral and the urinary bladder reconstruction strategies were summarized, focusing on pediatric applications and evaluating all the biomaterials tested in both animal models and patients. Particular attention was paid to the capability for tissue regeneration in dependence on the eventual presence of seeded cell and growth factor combinations in several types of scaffolds. Moreover, the main critical features needed for urinary tissue engineering have been highlighted and specifically focused on for pediatric application.
Topics: Animals; Child; Humans; Male; Regenerative Medicine; Tissue Engineering; Urethra; Urethral Stricture; Urinary Bladder; Urology
PubMed: 35742803
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126360