The effect of HIV infection on anal and penile human papillomavirus incidence and clearance: a cohort study among MSM.

Objectives: A large portion of anogenital cancers is caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infections, which are especially common in HIV-infected men. We aimed to compare the incidence and clearance of anal and penile hrHPV infection between HIV-infected and HIV-negative MSM.

Design: Analyses of longitudinal data from a prospective cohort study.

Rapid and reliable discrimination between Shigella species and Escherichia coli using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

E. coli-Shigella species are a cryptic group of bacteria in which the Shigella species are distributed within the phylogenetic tree of E. coli.

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis strain types, defined by high-resolution multilocus sequence typing, in relation to ethnicity and urogenital symptoms among a young screening population in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Introduction: Previous studies found conflicting results regarding associations between urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infections and ethnicity or urogenital symptoms among at-risk populations using either ompA-based genotyping or high-resolution multilocus sequence typing (MLST). This study applied high-resolution MLST on samples of individuals from a selected young urban screening population to assess the relationship of C. trachomatis strain types with ethnicity and self-reported urogenital symptoms.

Evaluation of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen assay for routine HCV screening among men who have sex with men infected with HIV.

Background: For detection of early HCV infection and reinfection, commercial HCV-RNA tests are available. However, these tests are relatively time-consuming and expensive. A commercially available test that may supplement current screening methods, targets the HCV core protein.

Spontaneous pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis RNA clearance. A cross-sectional study followed by a cohort study of untreated STI clinic patients in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Objectives: Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) might contribute to ongoing chlamydia transmission, yet data on spontaneous clearance duration are rare. We examined the prevalence, spontaneous clearance, chlamydial DNA concentration and genotypes of pharyngeal chlamydia among clinic patients with sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Methods: Female patients at high risk for an STI who reported active oral sex and male patients who have sex with men (MSM) were screened for pharyngeal chlamydia RNA using a nucleic acid amplification test.

HPV seroconversion following anal and penile HPV infection in HIV-negative and HIV-infected MSM.

Background: We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) seroconversion following anal and penile HPV infection in HIV-negative and HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: MSM aged ≥18 years were recruited in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2010-2011), and followed up semiannually. Antibodies against 7 high-risk HPV types in baseline and 12-month serum samples were tested using a multiplex immunoassay.

No evidence for LGV transmission among heterosexuals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: In recent years a few cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in heterosexuals in Europe have been reported. It is not known whether LGV transmission among heterosexuals occurs on a wider scale.

Methods: Heterosexual male and female STI clinic clients (n = 587) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with a positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) result for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) were screened for IgA anti-MOMP in serum.

Six-month incidence and persistence of oral HPV infection in HIV-negative and HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess incidence and persistence of oral HPV infection in HIV-negative and HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: MSM aged ≥18 years were included in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) in 2010-2011, and followed up 6 months later. Participants completed risk factor questionnaires.

Anal, penile, and oral high-risk HPV infections and HPV seropositivity in HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men.

The effects of single or multiple concordant HPV infections at various anatomical sites on type-specific HPV seropositivity are currently unknown. In this cross-sectional study we assessed whether high-risk HPV infections at various anatomical sites (i.e.

Detection of anorectal and cervicovaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infections following azithromycin treatment: prospective cohort study with multiple time-sequential measures of rRNA, DNA, quantitative load and symptoms.

Background: Determination of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) treatment success is hampered by current assessment methods, which involve a single post-treatment measurement only. Therefore, we evaluated Ct detection by applying multiple laboratory measures on time-sequential post-treatment samples.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was established with azithromycin-treated (1000 mg) Ct patients (44 cervicovaginal and 15 anorectal cases).

Use of Chlamydia trachomatis high-resolution typing: an extended case study to distinguish recurrent or persistent infection from new infection.

Objectives: Repeated infections of Chlamydia trachomatis may be new infections or persistent infections due to treatment failure or due to unresolved infections in sexual partners. We aimed to establish the value of using high-resolution multilocus sequence typing (CT-MLST) to discriminate repeated C trachomatis infections.

Methods: Paired C trachomatis positive samples (baseline (T0) and after 6 months (T1)) were selected from two Dutch screening implementation studies among young heterosexual people.

Seroepidemiology of high-risk HPV in HIV-negative and HIV-infected MSM: the H2M study.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM), in particular HIV-infected MSM, are at increased risk for diseases related to human papilloma virus (HPV). Our goal was to assess the effect of HIV status on the presence of type-specific antibodies against seven high-risk HPV types in HPV-unvaccinated MSM. Moreover, we compared determinants of HPV seropositivity between HIV-negative and HIV-infected MSM.

Anal and penile high-risk human papillomavirus prevalence in HIV-negative and HIV-infected MSM.

Objective: Anal and penile high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with anogenital cancer, which is especially common in HIV-infected MSM. We assessed HPV prevalence and determinants in MSM.

Design: Analysis of baseline data from a prospective cohort study.

Urethral lymphogranuloma venereum infections in men with anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum and their partners: the missing link in the current epidemic?

Urethral lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is not screened routinely. We found that in 341 men having sex with men with anorectal LGV, 7 (2.1%) had concurrent urethral LGV.

Evaluation of immune responses to combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in HIV-infected children and children on immunosuppressive medication.

Objective: A phase IV interventional study with a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine was conducted in HIV-infected children and children receiving immunosuppressive medication for treatment of rheumatic diseases to evaluate immune responses.

Methods: Both groups (1-16 years of age) received combined (inactivated) HAV and (rDNA) HBV vaccine Ambirix(®) at months 0 and 6. Serum samples were taken at four time points and tested for anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies.

Screening for hepatitis B and C in first-generation Egyptian migrants living in the Netherlands.

Background: Egypt has high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, infection prevalence among Egyptian migrants is unknown. Considering the asymptomatic onset and development of disease in chronically-infected patients, many may remain undiagnosed.

Aims: To evaluate an HCV- and HBV-screening programme designed to identify undetected infections among first-generation Egyptian migrants in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Recreational drug use during sex and sexually transmitted infections among clients of a city sexually transmitted infections clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Recreational drug use is associated with high-risk sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We assessed the prevalence of drug use during sex and the associations between such use and STI (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).

Methods: During 3 periods in 2008 and 2009, attendees of an STI clinic in Amsterdam were interviewed about sexual behavior and drug use during sex and tested for STI.

Unexpectedly high proportion of drug users and men having sex with men who develop chronic hepatitis B infection.

Background & Aims: In low endemic countries, most hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are found in adult behavioural risk groups, such as drug users (DU) and men having sex with men (MSM). These risk groups are frequently exposed to HBV, which might induce a different rate of viral clearance compared with the general adult population, in whom the chronicity rate is estimated to be 5-10%. Our aim was to obtain insights into the proportion of MSM and DU developing chronic infection after a primary HBV infection, and the underlying risk factors.

Point-of-care test for detection of urogenital chlamydia in women shows low sensitivity. A performance evaluation study in two clinics in Suriname.

Background: In general, point-of-care (POC) tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) show disappointing test performance, especially disappointing sensitivity results. However, one study sponsored by the manufacturer (Diagnostics for the Real World) reported over 80% sensitivity with their Chlamydia Rapid Test (CRT). We evaluated the performance of this CRT in a non-manufacturer-sponsored trial.

Low prevalence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections in HIV-infected heterosexuals visiting an HIV clinic in the Netherlands.

Two-hundred and forty-five heterosexual HIV-infected patients (58% women; median age 41 years) were screened for asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during a routine visit at a large HIV outpatient clinic in the Netherlands. High-risk sexual behaviour was rare and STI prevalence was low: three Chlamydia trachomatis infections and one case of syphilis were diagnosed. These results suggest that, in the Netherlands, screening for STI during routine visits is currently not needed for asymptomatic heterosexual HIV-infected patients.

Anal lymphogranuloma venereum infection screening with IgA anti-Chlamydia trachomatis-specific major outer membrane protein serology.

Background: Anal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) infections, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis biovar L (Ct+/LGV+), are endemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Anal non-LGV biovar Ct infections (Ct+/LGV-) can be eradicated with 1 week doxycycline, whereas Ct+/LGV+ infections require 3-week doxycycline. To differentiate Ct+/LGV+ from Ct+/LGV- infections, biovar-specific Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) are standard, but also expensive and laborious.

Delayed microbial cure of lymphogranuloma venereum proctitis with doxycycline treatment.

Microbial cure of chlamydia proctitis (lymphogranuloma venereum [LGV] and non-LGV) with doxycycline treatment was evaluated by chlamydia DNA and RNA persistence in anal swab specimens. In LGV proctitis, RNA persisted for up to 16 days. In non-LGV chlamydia proctitis, DNA was undetectable after 7 days.