Victor Cabelho Passarelli, Flora Goldemberg, Carolina Dos Santos Lázari, Gabriela Gaspar Carnevale, Mateus Vailant Thomazella, Sophia Chamarelli, Danilo Gennari Da Costa, Caroline França Pedrozo, Camila Melo Picone, Angela Carvalho Freitas, Gwenda Hughes, Silvia Figueiredo Costa
{"title":"Antimicrobial resistance and treatment failures in symptomatic and asymptomatic <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> infections in São Paulo, Brazil: first evidence from a cross-sectional study of sexual health clinic attendees.","authors":"Victor Cabelho Passarelli, Flora Goldemberg, Carolina Dos Santos Lázari, Gabriela Gaspar Carnevale, Mateus Vailant Thomazella, Sophia Chamarelli, Danilo Gennari Da Costa, Caroline França Pedrozo, Camila Melo Picone, Angela Carvalho Freitas, Gwenda Hughes, Silvia Figueiredo Costa","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056586","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056586","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"346-348"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144086550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wondimeneh Shiferaw, Beatris Mario Martin, Judith Ann Dean, Kenneth Koh, Deborah Mills, Colleen Lau, Luis Furuya-Kanamori
{"title":"Systematic review exploring the burden of sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses in refugees and asylum seekers: insights to inform policy and practice.","authors":"Wondimeneh Shiferaw, Beatris Mario Martin, Judith Ann Dean, Kenneth Koh, Deborah Mills, Colleen Lau, Luis Furuya-Kanamori","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056395","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056395","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In 2022, the number of refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) have reached an all-time high of 40.7 million globally. The surge in RAS, coupled with their limited access to healthcare (at their home and destination countries), has led to the risk of transmitting/acquiring sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and bloodborne viruses (BBVs). This situation threatens the health of RAS and poses a public health challenge to destination countries, potentially placing a burden on healthcare systems and resources. Healthcare recommendations for screening programmes for RAS vary between countries, leading to disparities in STI/BBV screening practices on arrival. These disparities can impact early detection and treatment of STIs/BBVs, increasing the risk of onward transmission and long-term negative sequelae. Therefore, this systematic review aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with STIs/BBVs among RAS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six databases (ie, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL) were searched for observational studies reporting STIs/BBVs prevalence and/or risk factors among RAS. The inverse variance heterogeneity model with double arcsine transformation was applied to prevalence meta-analysis of STIs/BBVs by region of origin of RAS. Narrative data synthesis was undertaken to summarise risk factors associated with STIs/BBVs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 21 studies (n=504 432 RAS) were included. Most studies were conducted among RAS arriving in Europe (n=14), followed by North America (n=5) and Australia (n=2). The highest prevalence of HIV (1.55%; 95% CI 0.53 to 3.04), syphilis (1.29%; 95% CI 0.59 to 2.24) and hepatitis B (6.50%; 95% CI 2.29 to 12.46) were observed among RAS from sub-Saharan Africa. The highest prevalence of hepatitis C was found in RAS from Southeast Asia (3.96%; 95% CI 2.74 to 5.38) and North Africa (3.59%; 95% CI 1.33 to 6.79). The highest prevalence of chlamydia was reported among RAS from the Middle East (1.48%; 95% CI 0.00 to 4.73) and Eastern Europe (1.40%; 95% CI 0.38 to 4.96). History of STIs, torture, blood transfusion and African origin were identified as factors associated with increased prevalence of STIs/BBVs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the regional disparities in the burden of STIs/BBVs among RAS. These findings highlight the importance of targeted screening for STIs/BBVs based on the country/region of origin and individual risk factors, and implementation of mitigation measures (eg, improving healthcare access and raising awareness) tailored to their unique needs. Such measures are crucial for reducing the impact of STIs/BBVs in both RAS and host countries.</p><p><strong>Prospero registration number: </strong>CRD42024546750.</p>","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"325-336"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143503772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thibaut Vanbaelen, Irith De Baetselier, Agnès Libois, Chris Kenyon
{"title":"Does frequent chlamydia screening lead to higher bacterial load in MSM taking PrEP?","authors":"Thibaut Vanbaelen, Irith De Baetselier, Agnès Libois, Chris Kenyon","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056550","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056550","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"342-343"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144044372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Centenary Series - STIs Through the Ages: <i><b>'The Sins of the Fathers are Visited upon the Children': the history of congenital syphilis</b></i>.","authors":"Ioanna Tsigkouli","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2024-056410","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":"101 5","pages":"283-286"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144660102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tom Witney, Greta Rait, John Saunders, Lorna Hobbs, Laura Mitchell, Jay Stewart, Lorraine K McDonagh
{"title":"<i>One way or another, you are not going to fit</i>: trans and gender diverse people's perspectives on sexual health services in the United Kingdom.","authors":"Tom Witney, Greta Rait, John Saunders, Lorna Hobbs, Laura Mitchell, Jay Stewart, Lorraine K McDonagh","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056231","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Trans and/or gender diverse (T/GD) people in the UK are less likely to access sexual health services (SHS) than cisgender people and are more likely to report negative experiences. The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) developed expert recommendations for T/GD-inclusive SHS, but these lack service user perspectives. This study addressed this gap by asking T/GD people how SHS could be T/GD-inclusive.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semistructured interviews (n=33) and focus groups (n=26) were conducted with T/GD people aged 17-71 years old recruited through community organisations and social media, exploring experiences of SHS and inclusivity. Study design, materials and analysis were informed by T/GD people and an advisory committee of charities and sexual health clinicians. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, managed using NVivo.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants often expected that SHS were not set up for T/GD people. This was reinforced by poor experiences in other healthcare settings and the lack of information on NHS websites. Some participants had been denied care because they were 'too complex'. Participants wanted to know that SHS had engaged with the needs of T/GD people and looked for hallmarks of inclusivity, such as Trans Pride flags in reception areas. Some participants wanted specialist T/GD services, but others preferred to access general SHS. Staff attitudes were a key factor underpinning inclusivity. Anticipating having their identity questioned or needs dismissed, participants sought kindness and openness. Although the needs of T/GD people are diverse and different from cisgender service users, participants stressed that SHS staff already had the skills to deliver sensitive person-centred care and emphasised the value of inclusive SHS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings provide insight into what a sample of T/GD people in the UK consider important for T/GD-inclusive SHS. Participants' suggestions align with and reinforce BASHH expert recommendations. Importantly, they highlight the need for ongoing engagement to deliver T/GD-inclusive SHS.</p>","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"287-293"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143010738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trends in syphilis and syphilitic uveitis among South Korean adults in 2010-2019: a nationwide cohort study.","authors":"EunAh Kim, Soorack Ryu, Su Jeong Song","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056417","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056417","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aims to investigate the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic and management patterns of ocular syphilis in South Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective nationwide cohort study analysed health claim data from 2010 to 2019 for individuals aged ≥20 years diagnosed with syphilis, with follow-up through 2021. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence and prevalence rates were calculated for ocular conditions including anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, panuveitis and optic neuritis. Diagnostic and management trends were evaluated, and multivariate Cox regression analyses assessed the impact of demographic factors and comorbidities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 2010 to 2019, the incidence rate of syphilis increased from 99.1 to 136.1 per 100 000. Among the 448 085 syphilis cases, 5118 developed anterior uveitis, 777 posterior uveitis, 551 panuveitis and 80 optic neuritis. While all types of uveitis showed increasing trends, anterior uveitis exhibited the steepest rise from 0.18 per 100 000 in 2010 to 1.40 per 100 000 in 2021. Diagnostic practices for ocular syphilis included 80.4% for dilated fundus examination, 73.7% for fundus photography and 11.0% for fluorescein angiography. Laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy were performed in 5.7% and 4.5% of patients with uveitis, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that each additional year of age increased the risk for anterior and posterior uveitis by 4% and optic neuritis by 2%. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia increased the risk of one or more ocular syphilis manifestations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In 2010-2019, the incidence of syphilis in South Korea significantly increased, with rates higher than previous studies. Age, sex and metabolic comorbidities were associated with an increased risk of ocular syphilis. These results indicate the need for vigilance in screening for ocular syphilis, and the importance of comprehensive eye examinations in patients with syphilis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"313-319"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143075318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Assanatou Bamogo, Agatha E Wapmuk, Semilore P Osunsanmi, Eneyi Kpokiri, Titilola A Gbaja-Biamila, Juliet Iwelunmor, Oliver Ezechi, Jennifer S Smith, Joseph D Tucker
{"title":"Community engagement for HPV vaccination in Nigeria.","authors":"Assanatou Bamogo, Agatha E Wapmuk, Semilore P Osunsanmi, Eneyi Kpokiri, Titilola A Gbaja-Biamila, Juliet Iwelunmor, Oliver Ezechi, Jennifer S Smith, Joseph D Tucker","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056496","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056496","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"344-345"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12276920/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144044031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Betty Swindells, Peter Endicott, Michelle O'Hora, Frances Lander, Tara Suchak, Marta Boffito
{"title":"Findings from trans-inclusive sexual health screening efforts.","authors":"Betty Swindells, Peter Endicott, Michelle O'Hora, Frances Lander, Tara Suchak, Marta Boffito","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056455","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056455","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"340-341"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143067691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fan Lee, Jessica Yasmine Islam, Michael Musila Mutua, Emmanuel Kabare, Griffins Manguro, Wairimu Waweru, Kishor N Mandaliya, Juma Shafi, R Scott McClelland, Jennifer S Smith
{"title":"Self-collection for high-risk HPV-RNA detection among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative women engaged in sex work in Kenya.","authors":"Fan Lee, Jessica Yasmine Islam, Michael Musila Mutua, Emmanuel Kabare, Griffins Manguro, Wairimu Waweru, Kishor N Mandaliya, Juma Shafi, R Scott McClelland, Jennifer S Smith","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056159","DOIUrl":"10.1136/sextrans-2024-056159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence of self-collection human papillomavirus (HPV)-RNA testing in cervical cancer screening is limited among women with HIV (WHIV). Most studies are in low-risk patient populations in high-income countries. We examine the prevalence of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) using the APTIMA HPV-RNA assay on self-collected versus provider-collected specimens, and the associated risk factors for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2/3) among women engaged in sex work in Kenya. Among WHIV, we examine the performance of both collection methods for the detection of CIN2/3.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were aged ≥18 years, non-pregnant and had no previous treatment for cervical precancer. The screening process included self-collection of cervicovaginal samples using a Viba cytobrush (Rovers), provider-collected cervical samples, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and Pap smear. The APTIMA HPV Assay (Hologic) was used to detect E6/E7 oncogene RNA of 14 hrHPV types in both self-collected and on provider-collected samples. Risk factors for CIN2/3 were determined via multivariable logistic regression. We estimated test characteristics for each screening method for CIN2/3 detection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 400 women (194 WHIV, 206 women without HIV) underwent screening between 2013 and 2018, with 399 valid HPV results. WHIV had a higher prevalence of hrHPV by self-collection compared with women without HIV (44.0% vs 29.6%, p<0.05) and CIN2/3 (19.0% vs 9.7%, p<0.05). After adjusting for age and HIV status, hrHPV-positivity increased the risk of CIN2/3 by 13 to 20 times. Among WHIV, the sensitivity for CIN2/3 detection was similar between self-collection (85% (66-96)) and provider-collection (93% (76-99)), both of which were higher than the sensitivity of high-grade cytology (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cut-off) (47% (95% CI 23 to 72)). The specificity for both collection methods (self: 66% (95% CI 57 to 75) and provider: 67% (95% CI 58 to 75)) was lower than cytology (85% (95% CI 78 to 91)).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Self-collection for HPV-RNA testing performed similarly to provider-collection among WHIV. For WHIV, while the higher sensitivity of HPV-RNA testing compared with cytology for the detection of clinically relevant cervical disease is important, the lower specificity supports the inclusion of a triage test in the screening algorithm.</p>","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":"301-306"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William Berners-Lee, Melissa Cabecinha, James Bell, Dawn Phillips, Tom Witney, Caisey V Pulford, Fabiana Lorencatto, Helen Fifer, Kirsty Foster, Hamish Mohammed, Katy Sinka, Deborah Williamson, Greta Rait, Kate Folkard, John Saunders
{"title":"'It does fill me with a bit of unease': a qualitative study of the acceptability, facilitators and barriers to reducing the frequency of screening for asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.","authors":"William Berners-Lee, Melissa Cabecinha, James Bell, Dawn Phillips, Tom Witney, Caisey V Pulford, Fabiana Lorencatto, Helen Fifer, Kirsty Foster, Hamish Mohammed, Katy Sinka, Deborah Williamson, Greta Rait, Kate Folkard, John Saunders","doi":"10.1136/sextrans-2025-056556","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2025-056556","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aimed to explore the acceptability of reducing the frequency of asymptomatic <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> (Ct) and <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> (Ng) screening among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)(Although the term GBMSM is used for convenience, the study also includes nonbinary people who were assigned male at birth who have sex with men.). Additionally, it sought to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing such changes and to develop potential interventions that could support a shift in current screening guidelines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study explored stakeholder perspectives on reducing screening frequency and identified potential interventions that could support future guideline changes of this kind. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 GBMSM and 8 professional stakeholders. Data were thematically analysed using the Capabilty, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour (COM-B) and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). TDF domains were mapped to behaviour change techniques to inform intervention development. Candidate interventions were refined based on acceptability, practicability, effectiveness, affordability, side effects, equity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, GBMSM stakeholder responses to discontinuing asymptomatic Ng and Ct screening tended to be negative, while professional stakeholder opinions were mixed. Reducing the recommended screening frequency to 6 monthly was generally more acceptable to both groups. Barriers and facilitators to guideline changes included issues of knowledge and trust, social influence and identity, context and resources, concerns about consequences and emotional responses and habit. Ten candidate interventions were suggested. These involve providing information, social support, behavioural substitutions and feedback as well as facilitating discussions to resolve concerns.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Any reduction in the recommended frequency of asymptomatic screening will encounter a range of interrelated barriers, including knowledge gaps, social influences and emotional factors. We identified evidence-based interventions that could improve acceptance and minimise unintended consequences. Future research should incorporate stakeholder workshops to refine these strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21624,"journal":{"name":"Sexually Transmitted Infections","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144643347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}