Maitrayee Narayan, Hitender Gautam, Priyam Batra, Bimal Kumar Das
{"title":"Paving the way for syphilis reverse algorithm diagnostic strategy in the Indian scenario through treponemal POCT.","authors":"Maitrayee Narayan, Hitender Gautam, Priyam Batra, Bimal Kumar Das","doi":"10.1177/09564624251358285","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624251358285","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe global burden of syphilis has remained persistently high with globally prevalent cases of syphilis, estimated to be 49.71 million in 2019. In India, where rates of syphilis screening remain sub-optimal, an accurate point-of-care (POC) test is convenient to carry out and guide immediate treatment. Here, we sought to evaluate the performance of an indigenous rapid POC test (Syphicheck -WB).MethodsThis study was carried out in the serology laboratory of our tertiary care center over 2 months. Five hundred serum samples were chosen randomly. Performance parameters of the POC test were calculated in comparison to the <i>Treponema pallidum</i> hemagglutination test, which was considered the reference standard.ResultsOne hundred and six samples (21.2%) were reactive for syphilis by the reference method (TPHA). The sensitivity and specificity of the POC test, were 81.13% and 98.48% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the reverse algorithm using POC test for screening, were 81.13% and 99.75% respectively, and of the traditional algorithm using VDRL were 77.36% and 100% respectively.ConclusionThis POC test is a promising candidate as a rapid treponemal screening test. It is likely to improve screening for syphilis under both laboratory as well as field conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"9564624251358285"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144612150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A V Adson Nantchito, D Jimmy-Gama, Zimveka Chatsika, Chifundo Azizi, Yamikani Chinthuli, Chester Makhuwira, Gertrude Ngwata, Kingsley Magomero, Geofrey Ndekha
{"title":"An evaluation of using community-based peer navigators for improving HIV treatment outcomes among antiretroviral therapy clients in Malawi Defence Force clinics.","authors":"A V Adson Nantchito, D Jimmy-Gama, Zimveka Chatsika, Chifundo Azizi, Yamikani Chinthuli, Chester Makhuwira, Gertrude Ngwata, Kingsley Magomero, Geofrey Ndekha","doi":"10.1177/09564624251356052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624251356052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMalawi Defence Force (MDF) implemented test-and-start strategy in 2016 to expedite initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV diagnosed individuals. However, key indicators for the 95-95-95 targets, namely retention and viral load suppression, remained sub optimal. To address this, MDF introduced community-based peer navigators (PNs) in 2020 to support ART adherence. We sought to assess impact of this intervention.MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted where ART programmatic data was collected retrospectively from seven MDF health facilities. The analysis compared treatment interruption (ITT), return to treatment (RTT) and viral suppression rates 18 months before and after the intervention.ResultsThe median numbers IIT and RTT was 308 (IQR = 96) and 99 (IQR = 67) pre intervention respectively, while the median IIT and RTT was 145 (IQR = 47) and 160 (IQR = 46) post intervention respectively. Treatment current increased by 36.5% through back to care (BTC) and by 10.4% through new initiations. Out of 1,073 clients due for VL flagged on patient cards, 953 (88.9%) had their blood samples taken compared to 61.8% in pre intervention period (<i>p</i> < 0.01).ConclusionsThe involvement of PNs led to notable improvements in program outcomes. Expanding the peer navigator model within the BTC initiative is recommended to sustain and build upon these gains.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"9564624251356052"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144591232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A constipating mass in a 12-year-old child as a result of child sex abuse.","authors":"Teghveer Singh, Pooja Sharma, Reetu Agrawal, Shailendra Srivastava, Nishant Bhardwaj, Nisha Verma","doi":"10.1177/09564624251355830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624251355830","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Syphilis is a multi-system disease caused by <i>Treponema pallidum</i>. Apart from congenital syphilis, it is seen exclusively in sexually active populations, as it has a sexual route of transmission. Children experiencing sexual abuse can acquire syphilis. We report a 12-year-old male child who was a victim of sexual abuse and had presented with a perianal verrucous mass. Immediate surgical resection was opted for to relieve constipation caused by the obstructing mass. The case was managed under the POCSO Act 2012.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"9564624251355830"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144591231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frances Lander, Maithili Varadarajan, Silma Shah, Suleman Khan, Benedict Moore, Lea Adamson, Samuel Lubega, Hewad Ahmadzai, Yahya Ibrahim, David Asboe, Marta Boffito
{"title":"In response to: \"Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in people of Black ethnicities living with HIV in the United Kingdom\" by Ottaway et al. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on HIV care provision.","authors":"Frances Lander, Maithili Varadarajan, Silma Shah, Suleman Khan, Benedict Moore, Lea Adamson, Samuel Lubega, Hewad Ahmadzai, Yahya Ibrahim, David Asboe, Marta Boffito","doi":"10.1177/09564624251352055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624251352055","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"9564624251352055"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144591234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoe Ottaway, Lucy Campbell, Julie Fox, Fiona M Burns, Lisa Hamzah, Sarah Schoeman, David Price, Amanda Clarke, Sarah L Pett, Denis Onyango, Caroline Sabin, Robert F Miller, Frank A Post
{"title":"Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in people of Black ethnicities living with HIV in the United Kingdom.","authors":"Zoe Ottaway, Lucy Campbell, Julie Fox, Fiona M Burns, Lisa Hamzah, Sarah Schoeman, David Price, Amanda Clarke, Sarah L Pett, Denis Onyango, Caroline Sabin, Robert F Miller, Frank A Post","doi":"10.1177/09564624251334227","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09564624251334227","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected people of Black ethnicities, however, there are limited data on the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection in these populations, and none in those with HIV.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in people of Black ethnicities with HIV in the UK. Participants were assessed for functional impairment, frailty, respiratory symptoms, anxiety and depression; they were also asked to rate aspects of their physical and mental health on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent), both at enrolment and prior to the pandemic. We report associations with COVID-19 history and recovery status.ResultsWe enrolled 183 participants between June 2021 and October 2022, 131 (72%) of whom reported COVID-19. A history of COVID-19 was associated with a reduced ability to carry out usual activities (OR 2.54 [1.03-6.21], <i>p</i> = 0.04), an increase in pain, tiredness and breathlessness, and overall decline in physical health. Of those with a history of COVID-19, 111 (85%) reported to have fully recovered. Those who had not fully recovered reported poorer functional status (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and had higher generalised anxiety scores (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Objective measures of physical function were similar in those who reported no COVID-19, COVID-19 with full recovery, and COVID-19 with incomplete recovery.ConclusionsIn this cohort of Black people with HIV, participants with a history of COVID-19 reported a reduced ability to carry out activities of daily living and various other health issues. Although most people reported full recovery from COVID-19, self-reported limitations in functional status and anxiety were common sequelae.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"602-610"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144019844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Mira Lubis, Evy Yunihastuti, Agnes Stephanie Harahap, Gabriella Anindyah, Amirah Yasmin, Matdoan Rifkiah Aisyah
{"title":"Complete hematological response with imatinib mesylate in a corticosteroid refractory idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in person living with HIV: A case report.","authors":"Anna Mira Lubis, Evy Yunihastuti, Agnes Stephanie Harahap, Gabriella Anindyah, Amirah Yasmin, Matdoan Rifkiah Aisyah","doi":"10.1177/09564624251338593","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09564624251338593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present a case of a 38-year-old person living with HIV (PLHIV) diagnosed with refractory idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). His initial symptoms were pruritic skin rash, dry cough, and diarrhea. The patient was unresponsive to corticosteroid as a first-line therapy. Subsequent treatment with Imatinib mesylate 100 mg per day resulted in excellent and sustained hematological and clinical response, with a likely molecular response as well.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"672-675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144010116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stefano Veraldi, Italo Francesco Aromolo, Gianluca Nazzaro
{"title":"The dangers of naked sunbathing: Cutaneous larva migrans on the penis.","authors":"Stefano Veraldi, Italo Francesco Aromolo, Gianluca Nazzaro","doi":"10.1177/09564624251336993","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09564624251336993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) of genitals has been very rarely reported in the literature. We describe a case of CLM of the penis in a 38-year-old Caucasian patient who sunbathed naked whilst in Phuket island (Thailand). The patient was successfully treated with 1% ivermectin cream (2 applications/day for 2 weeks), under occlusive dressing.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"670-671"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Breaking barriers to PrEP access in Italy: The Florence STD center \"model\" for nationwide implementation.","authors":"Luigi Pisano, Nicola Pimpinelli","doi":"10.1177/09564624251333493","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09564624251333493","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"682-683"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144007996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marcel G Maciel, Ubandoma Andefiki, Ilemobayo V Fasogbon, Ibrahim Awache, Michael N Yakubu
{"title":"Rollet's mixed chancre in an adult woman diagnosed in the state of Amazonas, Brazil: A case report.","authors":"Marcel G Maciel, Ubandoma Andefiki, Ilemobayo V Fasogbon, Ibrahim Awache, Michael N Yakubu","doi":"10.1177/09564624241267133","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09564624241267133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rollet's Mixed Chancre is a clinical presentation of sexually transmitted infections (STI), involving the coexistence of <i>Haemophilus ducreyi</i> and <i>Treponema pallidum</i> at the same site of infection. Here, we report a case of Rollet's Mixed Chancre in a 32-year-old Brazilian woman. On physical examination she presented with a unilateral bubo measuring approximately 5 × 3 centimeters in diameter, in association with an ulcerated lesion that evolved for 10 days at the inguinal region. She was successfully treated at a health unit with antibiotics. Rollet's Mixed Chancre, though uncommon, poses diagnostic challenges. This case highlights the importance of considering rare STI manifestations. Moreover, comprehensive STI screening and adherence to treatment guidelines are essential for effective management and prevention of further transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"667-669"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141751711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A new era in HIV treatment: Evaluating the benefits of lenacapavir.","authors":"Sinnha Kumari, Nikil Kumar, Muhammad Saad Khan","doi":"10.1177/09564624251333499","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09564624251333499","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14408,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of STD & AIDS","volume":" ","pages":"680-681"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143989862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}