High burden of active syphilis and HIV/syphilis co-infection among men who have sex with men, transwomen, and genderqueer individuals in Zimbabwe

ObjectivesLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1-L3. In Europe, the current epidemic is caused mainly by L2b genovariant, although increasing cases associated with other L2 variants have been reported. Here, we assessed the distribution of rectal LGV genovariants among men having sex with men (MSM) in Italy.MethodsFrom 2016 to 2020, all the anorectal swabs collected from MSM attending the STI Clinic of St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna and positive for C. trachomatis were stored. LGV infection was confirmed by a pmpH PCR, and, subsequently, a fragment of the ompA gene was amplified and sequenced. Sequences were aligned to reference strains representing different LGV variants.ResultsLGV cases accounted for one-third of all chlamydial rectal infections with a total prevalence of 4.1% (76/1852). Total number of LGV cases per year remained constant. LGV was mainly found in symptomatic patients (>65%), older than 30 years, with a high burden of other STIs (63.7% HIV-positive, 35.5% with concurrent rectal gonorrhoea, 19.7% with early syphilis). A decreasing trend in HIV-LGV co-infection was noticed over time. Three main LGV genovariants were detected (L2f, 46.1%; L2b, 23.0%; L2-L2b/D-Da, 16.9%), together with other known L2b variants (mainly L2bV2 and L2bV4). Two novel L2b ompA variants with non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found. Over time, the percentage of L2f cases dropped gradually, with a significant increase in L2-L2b/D-Da cases (p=0.04).ConclusionsIn our area, LGV is endemic among MSM with different circulating genovariants. Active surveillance and genotyping programmes are needed to reduce re-establishing of LGV infection.

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High burden of STI and HIV in male sex workers working as internet escorts for men in an observational study: a hidden key population compared with female sex workers and other men who have sex with men

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-015-1045-2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Amanja Verhaegh-Haasnoot ◽

Nicole H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers ◽

Christian J. P. A. Hoebe

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Male Sex Workers ◽

High Burden ◽

Female Sex ◽

Key Population ◽

Male Sex ◽

Sex With Men

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Active syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh16149 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 304 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lia N. Pizzicato ◽

Panagiotis Vagenas ◽

Pedro Gonzales ◽

Javier R. Lama ◽

Monica Pun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Female Partner ◽

Self Report ◽

Receptive Anal Intercourse ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Syphilis Screening ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Active Syphilis

Background Syphilis in Peru is heavily concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). The aim of the present study was to understand the risk factors for active syphilis infection among MSM and TGW in Peru. Methods: Independent correlates suggestive of active syphilis infection were examined to better understand risk factors for syphilis in MSM and TGW, with separate analyses conducted based on location and among TGW. In 2011, 5101 MSM and TGW completed both self-report surveys and HIV and syphilis testing in five Peruvian cities. Results: Overall, 261 (5.1%) MSM and TGW met the criteria for active syphilis, with higher prevalence in Lima than elsewhere (7.0% vs 3.0%) and in TGW than in MSM (10.7% vs 4.2%). Significant independent correlates of active syphilis infection differed greatly by location. In Lima, they included being HIV-infected (aware or unaware of status), being a TGW, being a high school graduate, engaging in receptive anal intercourse, no recent sex with a female partner and having had any symptomatic sexually transmissible infection, including syphilis, in the previous 6 months. Outside Lima, the independent correlates included being HIV-infected and unaware of status, engaging in recent sex work, no recent sex with a female partner and age 35–44 years. Among TGW, independent correlates of active syphilis included being HIV-infected (aware or unaware of status), a recent syphilis diagnosis in the previous 6 months and recent drug use. Conclusion: The findings of the present study support the need not only for combined HIV and syphilis screening, but also for increased screening and treatment of syphilis in MSM and TGW populations. Stratified analyses suggest different syphilis epidemics throughout the country and in TGW, yet being HIV-infected and aware were consistently associated with active syphilis, suggesting higher syphilis risk in HIV-infected MSM and TGW.

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Recent syphilis trends in Belgium and enhancement of STI surveillance systems

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/esm.09.12.00492-en ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 5-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

A Sasse ◽

A Defraye ◽

G Ducoffre

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Gay Men ◽

Fourth Quarter ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Sentinel Network ◽

The Past ◽

Laboratory Network ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The City ◽

Active Syphilis

Over the past five years, a series of syphilis outbreaks mainly occurring among gay men have been observed in Europe. One of these outbreaks was reported in the city of Antwerp, Belgium, during the first quarter of 2001. This outbreak is still ongoing in 2004. Furthermore, active syphilis diagnoses reported by the Sentinel Laboratory Network rose by 89% in the country during the fourth quarter of 2003. An increase in Brussels was also observed during the same quarter (+300%; 24 cases reported). Overall, the sentinel network of clinicians reported that 93.4% of patients were male; among them, 79.9% were men having sex with men (MSM). The overall proportion of patients co-infected with HIV was 50.5% (MSM: 58.6%; male heterosexuals: 23.8%; females: 8.3%); 76.1% of co-infected patients were already aware of their HIV infection at the time they were diagnosed with syphilis.

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