scholarly journals Concurrency measures in the era of temporal network epidemiology: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (179) ◽  
pp. 20210019
Author(s):  
Naoki Masuda ◽  
Joel C. Miller ◽  
Petter Holme

Diseases spread over temporal networks of interaction events between individuals. Structures of these temporal networks hold the keys to understanding epidemic propagation. One early concept of the literature to aid in discussing these structures is concurrency—quantifying individuals’ tendency to form time-overlapping ‘partnerships’. Although conflicting evaluations and an overabundance of operational definitions have marred the history of concurrency, it remains important, especially in the area of sexually transmitted infections. Today, much of theoretical epidemiology uses more direct models of contact patterns, and there is an emerging body of literature trying to connect methods to the concurrency literature. In this review, we will cover the development of the concept of concurrency and these new approaches.

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Evans ◽  
Sonya Borrero ◽  
Jonathan Yabes ◽  
Elian A. Rosenfeld

Little is known about the sexual health of male veterans. This study used nationally representative data from the 2011 to 2013 National Survey of Family Growth to compare sexual behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between male veterans and nonveterans. The sample included 3,860 men aged 18 to 44 years who reported ever having sex with a man or woman. The key independent variable was veteran status. Sexual behavior outcomes included ≥6 lifetime female partners, ≥10 lifetime partners of either sex, ≥2 past-year partners of either sex, having past-year partners of both sexes, and condom nonuse at last vaginal sex. STI outcomes included past-year history of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or receiving any STI treatment; lifetime history of herpes, genital warts, or syphilis; and an aggregate measure capturing any reported STI history. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between veteran status and each outcome. In models adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and marital status, veterans had significantly greater odds than nonveterans of having ≥6 lifetime female partners ( OR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.02, 2.31]). In models adjusting for age and marital status, veterans had significantly greater odds of having partners of both sexes in the past year ( OR = 4.8, 95% CI [1.2, 19.8]), and gonorrhea in the past year ( OR = 3.2, 95% CI [1.2, 8.5]). Male veterans were thus significantly more likely than nonveterans to have STI risk factors. Health care providers should be aware that male veterans may be at higher risk for STIs and assess veterans’ sexual risk behaviors.


2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 847-849
Author(s):  
A R Markos

A retrospective casenote study was conducted to examine the risk factors for patients who were diagnosed as hepatitis C (HCV)-positive (between 1999 and 2001) in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine (GUM) setting in Staffordshire, UK. There was a remarkable escalation in the number of reported HCV-positive cases, year on year, in our study. The majority of the positive cases (20/21) gave a history of previous intravenous drug use (IVDU). The incidence of other sexually transmitted infections were reportedly high in our HCV-positive patients. The increasing number of reported HCV-positive cases in the GUM clinic of the semirural Staffordshire setting, may reflect a national pattern that needs further investigations. We advise that HCV serology should be offered to GUM clients (who have a history of IVDU), and to their sex partners. They should also be advised to take tests to exclude other STDs. The case for offering HCV serology as a routine test for patients who request 'the exclusion of STDs' is still undecided.


2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles J. Rolle ◽  
Clifford Y. Wai ◽  
Roger Bawdon ◽  
Rigoberto Santos-Ramos ◽  
Barbara Hoffman

Background. The incidence of unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition. Several factors increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, the most important of which is pelvic inflammatory disease, followed by operative trauma, congenital anomalies, tumors, and adhesions resulting in anatomically distorted fallopian tubes. We present a case of a woman with a history of four confirmed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, herpes simplex virus 2, and Treponema pallidum. The case illustrates the potential impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the risk of a twin ectopic pregnancy. Case. A 24-year-old primigravida, presented with an unknown last menstrual period, lower abdominal pain, watery vaginal discharge, and vaginal spotting. During this hospitalization, serumβ-HCG testing was 263 mIU/mL and transvaginal ultrasonographic examination suggested a nonviable unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy. At exploratory laparotomy, a 10 cm mass involving the right fallopian tube and ovary was excised. Pathological evaluation of the specimen identified a monochorionic, diamnionic twin ectopic pregnancy within the fallopian tube. Conclusions Patients with a history of multiple (STIs) are known to be at risk for the development of chronic pelvic infection and postinflammatory scarring. The resulting distortion of the normal tubal anatomy leads to an increased risk of an uncommon presentation of ectopic pregnancy.


2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 383-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
F I Bastos ◽  
C M Lowndes ◽  
M Derrico ◽  
L R Castello-Branco ◽  
M I Linhares-De-Carvalho ◽  
...  

A survey was carried out in 2 drug use treatment centres (TCs) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to assess risk behaviours, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections/blood-borne infections (STIs/BBIs). Two hundred and twenty-five drug users (195 males and 30 females) were interviewed and clinically examined, and their blood and urine were tested for STIs/BBIs. Prevalences (%) for these infections were as follows - HIV: 0.9, hepatitis B virus (HBV): 14.7, hepatitis C virus (HCV): 5.8, syphilis: 5.3, gonorrhoea/chlamydia (CT/NG): 4.7. In bivariate analyses CT/NG infection was associated with younger age ( P =0.003); current genitourinary symptoms (odds ratio [OR]=6.2) and a mainly illegal source of income (OR= 9.1). Hepatitis C infection was associated with a history of ever having injected any drug (OR=19.6), and with each one of the injected drugs. After multiple logistic regression, lower educational level (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.70) and 'ever having injected drugs' (AOR=3.69) remained as independent risk factors for hepatitis B infection. In conclusion, TCs must implement programmes directed towards the prevention of STIs/BBIs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maira Libertad Soligo Takemoto ◽  
Mariane de Oliveira Menezes ◽  
Carla Betina Andreucci Polido ◽  
Débora de Souza Santos ◽  
Valeria Marli Leonello ◽  
...  

Our aim was to systematically review data about the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women and to suggest strategies to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. A search strategy for lesbian, STI and bacterial vaginosis was applied to PubMed, LILACS and BDENF databases. Of 387 unique references retrieved, 22 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (cross-sectional studies reporting prevalence for 8 STIs/bacterial vaginosis and history of a STI). The most frequent infection reported was bacterial vaginosis, and none study reported data on hepatitis B. A wide range of prevalence was observed for most infections. In terms of risk factors, the number of sexual partners, the past or current smoking, a history of forced sex and sexual stigma seem to increase the risk of STI and bacterial vaginosis. The findings of this review are discussed considering guidelines directly addressing the LGBT community’s health and relevant studies investigating both safe sexual practices and the intricate relationship between LGBT people and their care providers. A set of recommendations to improve preventive care for lesbian women is proposed. Affirming that little is known about the extent of STIs and bacterial vaginosis transmission in female-to-female sexual activities or about the risk factors for STI and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women is reasonable. In fact, the overall quality of the studies was low or very low with significant uncertainty around their findings. However, we consider that the available knowledge indicates some paths to be followed by care providers and policy decision-makers to improve their actions towards better sexual health of lesbian women.


1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 548-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Colvin ◽  
S S Abdool Karim ◽  
C Connolly ◽  
A A Hoosen ◽  
N Ntuli

The objective was to determine the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections STIs in a rural community. A population based survey of adults in 110 homesteads was conducted in 1995. A questionnaire on demographics, sexual practices and history of STDs was administered. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections were detected using ligase chain reaction LCR assay of urine. The seroprevalence of syphilis rapid plasma reagin RPR and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay TPHA and HIV infection ELISA was determined. Among 259 subjects the prevalence of HIV was 10.5 , N. gonorrhoeae 4.5 , C. trachomatis 6.1 and active syphilis 8.8 . All infections were asymptomatic. Forty per cent of sexually active men had more than one concurrent sexual partner. Only 14 of subjects had ever used condoms. The STI epidemic is being promoted by high levels of asymptomatic infections, high partner concurrency and low condom use.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalwa Javed Farooqi ◽  
Farhat Rehana Malik ◽  
Kanza Javed Farooqi ◽  
Owais Mudassar

Abstract Background; Viral hepatitis causes devastating health issues to everyone globally and specifically the most vulnerable groups like pregnant ladies. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hepatitis B and C virus infection with univariate association of virus seropositivity among pregnant women and comparison of public with private hospital data.Study Design; An Unmatched Case Control Pilot Study.Place and Duration; Gynaecology wards of Two Public Tertiary Care Hospitals of Peshawar and equal number of Private clinics, from September- 2018 to February- 2019.Methods; This study enrolled 21 cases and controls as 1:1 ratio via consecutive sampling. A validated questionnaire was used. Cases included were HBsAg and ELISA positive HCV females, while anti HBsAg and Anti HCV ELISA negative were the controls. The collected data was entered and analysed in SPSS version- 19. Descriptive statistics were computed by frequency and percentages while inferential statistics through Odd ratio and 95% confidence interval. P value cut of limit was set at <0.05. Results; The mean age was 37±9 for the cases and 28±6 years for controls respectively. The risk factors with increase occurrence of disease were past history of abortion OR=1.23 (95% Cl=0.34-4.35), past hospitalization OR=2.90 (Cl=0.77-10.8), past surgical procedure OR=3.69 (Cl=0.81-16.6), dental extraction OR=1.25 (Cl=0.33-4.63), delivery in hospital OR=4.26 (Cl=1.13-16.05), injection in hospitals OR=1.47 (Cl=0.43-5.04), household contact with jaundice OR=5.66 (Cl=1.41-22.7). Normal vaginal delivery OR=1.96 (Cl=0.51-7.48) and history of sexually transmitted infections OR=2.23 (Cl=0.36-13.7) were independently associated with HBV, HCV.Conclusion; Iatrogenic exposures of injections, blood transfusions, tooth extractions, home deliveries with past history of sexually transmitted infections, abortion, hepatitis infection and hospital admissions were the risk factors among the pregnant women.


2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Mundia Kariuki ◽  
Philippe Selhorst ◽  
Colin Anthony ◽  
David Matten ◽  
Melissa-Rose Abrahams ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Compartmentalization of HIV-1 between the systemic circulation and the male genital tract may have a substantial impact on which viruses are available for sexual transmission to new hosts. We studied compartmentalization and clonal amplification of HIV-1 populations between the blood and the genital tract from 10 antiretroviral-naive men using Illumina MiSeq with a PrimerID approach. We found evidence of some degree of compartmentalization in every study participant, unlike previous studies, which collectively showed that only ∼50% of analyzed individuals exhibited compartmentalization of HIV-1 lineages between the male genital tract (MGT) and blood. Using down-sampling simulations, we determined that this disparity can be explained by differences in sampling depth in that had we sequenced to a lower depth, we would also have found compartmentalization in only ∼50% of the study participants. For most study participants, phylogenetic trees were rooted in blood, suggesting that the male genital tract reservoir is seeded by incoming variants from the blood. Clonal amplification was observed in all study participants and was a characteristic of both blood and semen viral populations. We also show evidence for independent viral replication in the genital tract in the individual with the most severely compartmentalized HIV-1 populations. The degree of clonal amplification was not obviously associated with the extent of compartmentalization. We were also unable to detect any association between history of sexually transmitted infections and level of HIV-1 compartmentalization. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics that affect the composition of virus populations that are available for transmission. IMPORTANCE Within an individual living with HIV-1, factors that restrict the movement of HIV-1 between different compartments—such as between the blood and the male genital tract—could strongly influence which viruses reach sites in the body from which they can be transmitted. Using deep sequencing, we found strong evidence of restricted HIV-1 movements between the blood and genital tract in all 10 men that we studied. We additionally found that neither the degree to which particular genetic variants of HIV-1 proliferate (in blood or genital tract) nor an individual’s history of sexually transmitted infections detectably influenced the degree to which virus movements were restricted between the blood and genital tract. Last, we show evidence that viral replication gave rise to a large clonal amplification in semen in a donor with highly compartmentalized HIV-1 populations, raising the possibility that differential selection of HIV-1 variants in the genital tract may occur.


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