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Epidemiology and Infection Jan 2019Although anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are frequently diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM) and women, the reason for this infection often...
A longitudinal study to investigate previous Chlamydia trachomatis infection as a risk factor for subsequent anorectal infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) and women visiting STI clinics in the Netherlands.
Although anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are frequently diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM) and women, the reason for this infection often remains unexplained, as anal sex is not always reported. Oropharyngeal infections inoculating the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may contribute to anorectal-CT infections, as evidence in animals suggests that chlamydia bacteria undergo GI passage; however, no evidence exists in humans. Longitudinal patient clinic-registry data from MSM (n = 17 125) and women (n = 4120) from two Dutch sexually transmitted infection clinics were analysed. When adjusting for confounding socio-demographics, co-infections and risk behaviour, previous (from 3 weeks up to 24 months) oropharyngeal CT was not a risk factor for subsequent anorectal CT in women (odds ratio (OR) 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-1.18; P = 0.11) and MSM (OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.86-2.07; P = 0.204). Despite the large dataset, the numbers did not allow for the estimation of risk in specific subgroups of interest. The role of the GI tract cannot be excluded with this epidemiological study, but the impact of preceding oropharyngeal CT on anorectal-CT infection is likely limited.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Analysis of Variance; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Coinfection; Communicable Diseases; Female; Gonorrhea; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Netherlands; Oropharynx; Prevalence; Proctitis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Sex Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PubMed: 31364548
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268819001018 -
Australian Journal of General Practice 2021Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia, with most infections diagnosed and managed in general practice....
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia, with most infections diagnosed and managed in general practice. Often asymptomatic, left untreated it can cause serious reproductive complications in women. There is now global recognition of the importance of enhanced chlamydia case management to reduce the risk of repeat infection and minimise harms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to provide evidence-based information and resources to help general practitioners engage in partner management and retesting as part of routine STI care, in accordance with Australia's Fourth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy: 2018-2022, and to provide up-to-date evidence about anorectal chlamydia and other emerging concerns in women.
DISCUSSION
Evidence-based information and strategies for partner management and retesting the index case are provided in this article, in addition to information regarding the detection of PID, screening and treatment of anorectal chlamydia, antimicrobial resistance, and testing and treatment in pregnancy.
Topics: Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Family Practice; Female; Humans; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Pregnancy; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 33543164
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-04-20-5330 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Jun 2021Syphilis infections are increasing globally. Lower gastrointestinal syphilis (LGIS) is a rare manifestation of early syphilis transmitted through anal sexual contact....
BACKGROUND
Syphilis infections are increasing globally. Lower gastrointestinal syphilis (LGIS) is a rare manifestation of early syphilis transmitted through anal sexual contact. Misdiagnosis of LGIS as inflammatory bowel disease may result from clinician underawareness.
METHODS
We searched the literature for articles describing cases of LGIS, and identified additional cases diagnosed within our institution. Data were extracted from the articles and medical records and analyzed to provide a summative account.
RESULTS
Fifty-four cases of LGIS were identified in 39 articles published between 1958 and 2020. Eight additional cases were diagnosed at our institution between 2011 and 2020, totaling 62 cases. All cases were described in men and transwomen aged 15-73 years. Fifty (93%) individuals reported having sex with men. In 26 cases (52%), the individuals were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected. LGIS presented most commonly with hematochezia (67%) and anal pain (46%). The most common physical examination findings were rectal mass (38%), lymphadenopathy (31%), and rash (26%). Nontreponemal titers ranged from 1:2 to 1:1024. Of the 52 cases in which endoscopy was reported, 22 (42%) showed anorectal mass and 18 (35%) showed anorectal ulcer. In 44 cases (75%), histopathology revealed a chronic inflammatory infiltrate with a prominent lymphocyte component (45%) and/or plasma cells (36%). Seventy-eight percent of specimens to which a tissue stain was applied were positive for spirochetes.
CONCLUSIONS
LGIS should be suspected in men and transwomen presenting with a lower gastrointestinal symptom or mucosal abnormality. A sexual history must be elicited and guide testing. Misdiagnosis can delay treatment and threatens patient and public health.
PubMed: 34631920
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab157 -
Clinical Imaging Dec 2022The monkeypox outbreak of 2022 saw the first community-sustained transmission of the monkeypox virus outside of Africa, and rapidly developed into multi-country spread....
The monkeypox outbreak of 2022 saw the first community-sustained transmission of the monkeypox virus outside of Africa, and rapidly developed into multi-country spread. A common presenting sign of monkeypox infection during this outbreak has been rectal pain due to proctitis. Proctitis with large hypoattenuated anorectal ulcers on CT scan should invoke consideration for monkeypox infection in young homosexual or bisexual men with associated skin eruptions.
Topics: Male; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Proctitis; Rectum; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 36302321
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2022.10.008 -
Ulusal Travma Ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi =... Mar 2021This article aims to give practical information and concrete suggestions on what should be considered in emergency, semi-urgent and elective settings for common...
BACKGROUND
This article aims to give practical information and concrete suggestions on what should be considered in emergency, semi-urgent and elective settings for common anorectal diseases in the hectic period of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on early results of a series of anorectal interventions.
METHODS
Referring to other related guidelines, general considerations specific to the diagnosis and treatment of highly prevalent anorectal diseases were developed to target the correct patients, evaluate and orientate by telemedicine, adapt the Proctology Unit to the new pandemic, and control contamination and infection. Specific considerations for common anorectal diseases were cited, and our initial results were retrospectively documented.
RESULTS
From March 1 to April 10, 2020, we contacted 240 patients with anorectal diseases in two centers. We evaluated the results retrospectively on 16-17 April. At the end of this survey, 14 patients (5.8%) were lost for further contact and follow-up. Thirty-one patients (12.9%) were evaluated as nondeferrable cases and invited to the Proctology Unit. Twenty-eight patients required interventions at the same session. Adhering to the principles described here, more than 90 percent of benign anorectal disorders could be treated successfully, with 2.1 percent of suspected contamination and no confirmed cases. None of the Proctology personnel or their close contacts developed COVID-19, either.
CONCLUSION
By adhering to the principles outlined in this practical guide, it was possible to treat most of the benign anorectal diseases safely in the initial, hectic period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: COVID-19; Colorectal Neoplasms; Colorectal Surgery; Elective Surgical Procedures; Emergency Service, Hospital; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Male; Pandemics; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Prostatic Neoplasms; SARS-CoV-2; Spain
PubMed: 33630284
DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2020.02446 -
Journal of Hematology Apr 2024Anorectal infections in neutropenic leukemia patients are a significant and potentially life-threatening complication. The pathogenesis of this condition is not entirely... (Review)
Review
Anorectal infections in neutropenic leukemia patients are a significant and potentially life-threatening complication. The pathogenesis of this condition is not entirely understood and believed to be multifactorial, including mucosal injury as a result of cytotoxic drugs, profound neutropenia and impaired host defense. Establishing an early diagnosis is key and often made clinically on the basis of signs and symptoms, but also from imaging studies demonstrating perianal inflammation or fluid collection. The management of anorectal infections in neutropenic leukemia patients is not straightforward, as there are no well-conducted studies on this entity. This review seeks to provide a framework into the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of anorectal infections in neutropenic leukemia patients, propose a diagnostic approach and to discuss controversies in the management of this condition.
PubMed: 38644983
DOI: 10.14740/jh1251 -
BMJ Open Apr 2022(CT) causes the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world, and men who have sex with men (MSM) are considered as a high-risk population for...
Prevalence of anatomically specific infections with among men who have sex with men in China: protocol for a nationwide cross-sectional study as part of Disease Burden Surveillance of Infections with (DBSIC).
INTRODUCTION
(CT) causes the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world, and men who have sex with men (MSM) are considered as a high-risk population for this infection. Data regarding the prevalence of CT infection in China are limited and fragmented. In this study, we aim to determine at the national level the anatomically specific CT prevalence and genotype distribution of CT strains among MSM, recruiting from the venues where MSM commonly seek sexual partners.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
The study will be a nationwide cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of chlamydial infections among MSM who meet the inclusion criteria over a period of 6 months (May-October 2022). A total of 2429 participants will be recruited from the venues where MSM most often seek sex partners in 14 cities of the 7 geographical regions in China. A mobile phone app-based anonymous self-administered questionnaire will be used to collect sociodemographic and behavioural data, and specimens of urine, anorectal and pharyngeal swabs will be collected for identifying the infections of CT and and genotypes of CT. The data will be analysed using the IBM SPSS program V.20 ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology and the National Center for STD Control on 9 October 2021 (approval number 2021-KY-037). The study is based on voluntary participation and a written informed consent process. The study results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and reported in conferences. The relevant data will be made available to development of control programmes and used as health education materials to disseminate to the community. The dataset will be deposited in a public repository.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ChiCTR2100052869.
Topics: Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Cost of Illness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gonorrhea; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Prevalence; Sexual and Gender Minorities
PubMed: 35459676
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059176 -
PloS One 2021The burden of STIs is particularly high in HIV-infected MSM patients. A recent increase in STIs prevalence has been noticed in the US and western European countries. We...
The burden of STIs is particularly high in HIV-infected MSM patients. A recent increase in STIs prevalence has been noticed in the US and western European countries. We aim to assess trends in asymptomatic STIs following the publication of recommendations for STIs screening, i.e. Chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NG). Seventeen centers located in the Paris area participated in the study. All asymptomatic HIV-infected MSM patients attending a follow up consultation were proposed to participated in the study. Asymptomatic patients were included over 2 periods: period 1 from April to December 2015 and period 2 from September to December 2017. Etiologic diagnosis of STIs including hepatitis B, C, syphilis, was performed using a serological test, including a non-treponemal titer with a confirmatory treponemal assay for syphilis. CT and NG were screened using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) on 3 anatomical sites, i.e. urine, rectal and pharyngeal. Overall, 781 patients were included: 490 and 291 in periods 1 and 2 respectively. Asymptomatic CT, NG, and syphilis were diagnosed in 7.5%, 4.8% and, 4.2% respectively. The rate of patients having a multisite asymptomatic infection was 10.2% and 21.1% for CT and NG respectively. The most frequently involved anatomical sites for CT and NG asymptomatic infections were anorectal (66.1% and 55.2% respectively) and pharyngeal (47.4% and 60.5% respectively). CT and NG asymptomatic infection increased by 1.3- and 2-fold respectively between the two periods while syphilis decreased by 3 folds. Our results encourage to reconsider multisite screening for CT and NG in asymptomatic HIV positive MSM as the yield of screening urinary samples only might be low. Despite the more systematic STI screening of asymptomatic HIV positive MSM the prevalence of STI is increasing in MSM in France. Therefore, this strategy has not led to alter CT and NG transmission. The decrease of syphilis might involve self-medication by doxycycline, and the intensification of syphilis screening.
Topics: Adult; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; France; Gonorrhea; HIV; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PubMed: 34166379
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250557 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Sep 2023Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates continue to rise in Australia, and timely access to testing and treatment is crucial to reduce transmission. Web-based... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates continue to rise in Australia, and timely access to testing and treatment is crucial to reduce transmission. Web-based services have been viewed as a way to improve timely access to STI/HIV testing and have proliferated in recent years. However, the regulation of these services in Australia is minimal, leading to concerns about their quality. The purpose of this review was to systematically identify web-based STI/HIV testing services available in Australia and assess them on aspects of quality, reliability, and accessibility.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to systematically identify and assess web-based STI/HIV testing services available in Australia.
METHODS
A Google search of Australian web-based services was conducted in March 2022 and repeated in September 2022 using Boolean operators and search terms related to test services (eg, on the internet or home), STIs (eg, chlamydia or gonorrhea), and test type (eg, self-test). The first 10 pages were assessed, and services were categorized as self-testing (ST; test at home), self-sampling (SS; sample at home and return to laboratory), or self-navigated pathology (SNP; specimens collected at pathology center). Website reliability was assessed against the Health on the Net Foundation code of conduct, and service quality was assessed using a scorecard that was developed based on similar reviews, Australian guidelines for in-person services, and UK standards. Additionally, we looked at measures of accessibility including cost, rural access, and time to test results.
RESULTS
Seventeen services were identified (8 ST, 2 SS, and 7 SNP). Only 4 services offered recommended testing for all 4 infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV) including genital, anorectal, and oropharyngeal sites, and 5 offered tests other than those recommended by Australian testing guidelines (eg, Ureaplasma). Nine services (1 SNP, 8 self-test) had no minimum age requirements for access. Reliability scores (scale 0-8) were similar between all services (range 4.75-8.0). Quality weighted scores (scale 0-58) were similar between SNP and SS services (average 44.89, SD 5.56 and 44.75, SD 1.77, respectively) but lower for ST services (22.66, SD 8.93; P=.002). Government-funded services were of higher quality than private services (43.54, SD 6.71 vs 29.43, SD 13.55; P=.03). The cost for services varied between SNP (Aus $0-$595; ie, US $0-$381.96), self-sample (Aus $0; ie, US $0), and ST (Aus $0-$135; ie, US $0-$86.66). The time to test results was much shorter for SNP services (~4 days) than for SS (~12 days) and ST (~14 days).
CONCLUSIONS
This review identified considerable variability in the quality and reliability of the web-based STI/HIV testing services in Australia. Given the proliferation and use of these services will likely increase, it is imperative that Australia develops national standards to ensure the standard-of-care offered by web-based STI/HIV testing services is appropriate to protect Australian users from the impact of poorly performing and inappropriate tests.
Topics: Humans; Gonorrhea; Australia; Reproducibility of Results; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; HIV Testing; Internet
PubMed: 37738083
DOI: 10.2196/45695 -
The Lancet. Microbe Apr 2024Control of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (gonorrhoea) depends on effective testing strategies. Anorectal testing in women is often done on indication of anal sex;...
Anorectal Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in women with and without reported anal sex and sex workers in sexual health centres in the Netherlands: a retrospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Control of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (gonorrhoea) depends on effective testing strategies. Anorectal testing in women is often done on indication of anal sex; however, anorectal infections are seen with and without anal exposure, possibly caused by autoinoculation. This study aims to enhance understanding of anorectal infections in women, by identifying risk factors for anorectal diagnosis.
METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study we used national surveillance data from Dutch sexual health centres from Jan 1, 2016, to Dec 31, 2021. We included cisgender women having sex with men who were tested urogenitally and anorectally for gonorrhoea. Due to different testing policies, we identified three groups: women who had not reported recent anal sex (in the past 6 months), women who had reported recent anal sex, and sex workers. Extracted data for analyses included demographics, sexual behaviour, and diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Per group, multivariable models using Firth's penalised maximum likelihood logistic regression were constructed, identifying determinants of anorectal gonorrhoea among all women and among gonorrhoea-positive women only. Variables included in model construction were age, education level, migration background, number of partners, condom use, partner notification, STI symptoms, having a partner who has sex with men (MSM) or a migrant partner, previous STI test, anal sex, and chlamydia and gonorrhoea diagnoses per anatomical location.
FINDINGS
In total, 117 693 women were included: 43 757 women without reported recent anal sex, 51 728 women with reported recent anal sex, and 22 208 sex workers. In all three groups, around 2% of women were gonorrhoea positive, and 70% or more of women had an anorectal infection. The strongest determinant of anorectal gonorrhoea was a concurrent urogenital gonorrhoea diagnosis (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 782 [95% CI 605-1018]) among women without reported recent anal sex (612 [490-768] among women with reported recent anal sex, and 464 [335-652] among sex workers). Among gonorrhoea-positive women, determinants of anorectal gonorrhoea were urogenital and anorectal chlamydia co-infection (aOR 2·03 [95% CI 1·38-3·02], for women without reported anal sex) and migration background (1·44 [1·02-2·06], for women with reported anal sex). Determinants among sex workers were condomless sex (2·43 [1·55-3·82]), anal sex (1·71 [1·10-2·66]), MSM or migrant partner (1·78 [1·13-2·79]), and urogenital and anorectal chlamydia co-infection (2·28 [1·11-5·14]).
INTERPRETATION
These findings support the possibility of an autoinoculation process from the urogenital to the anorectal location due to the very strong correlation between urogenital and anorectal gonorrhoea, and due to the similarity of results across all three groups. Current testing strategies could miss anorectal infections, which should be considered when developing gonorrhoea prevention and control guidelines.
FUNDING
None.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Gonorrhea; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Sex Workers; Homosexuality, Male; Sexual Health; Coinfection; Netherlands; Retrospective Studies; Chlamydia trachomatis; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Chlamydia Infections
PubMed: 38359858
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00376-2