Combination of compound screening with an animal model identifies pentamidine to prevent Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common cause for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide with a tremendous impact on public health. With the aim to unravel novel targets of the chlamydia life cycle, we screen a compound library and identify 28 agents to significantly reduce Ct growth. The known anti-infective agent pentamidine-one of the top candidates of the screen-shows anti-chlamydia activity in low concentrations by changing the metabolism of host cells impairing chlamydia growth.

Genotypic cluster analysis of reveals a spectrum of sexual mixing including among HIV-serodiscordant men who have sex with men.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more vulnerable to acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In 2019, for instance, 74% of European (Ng) cases among males affected MSM. A recent report by the World Health Organization showed that most of the 2020' interim targets to end STIs by 2030 had not been met.

Scars are frequently found as late sequelae in individuals affected by the 2022 mpox outbreak.

Background: The 2022 mpox outbreak continues, and while progress has been made in prevention strategies and potential treatment options, data on late sequelae following mpox are scarce.

Objective: This analysis aimed to assess the incidence of scar formation in individuals affected by the 2022 mpox outbreak.

Methods: All individuals diagnosed with mpox at the Department of Dermatology at the Medical University of Vienna in 2022 were included in this analysis.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium at pharyngeal and anorectal sites in patients presenting to an STI outpatient ward.

Background: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is unbridled and on the rise. Extragenital STIs (anal and pharyngeal infections) are commonly asymptomatic, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment and consequently higher chances of onward transmission.

Objective: The aim of this observational single-centre study was to determine the prevalence of STIs at extragenital sites in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients presenting at an STI outpatient clinic.

[Anogenital warts-An update].

With a prevalence of around 1% in the sexually active population anogenital warts are the most frequent human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease. In the vast majority of cases the underlying cause of the infection is due to HPV types 6 and 11. The diagnosis can usually be clinically established but in certain cases a histopathological work-up can be useful.

Sexually Transmitted Dermatophytes Can Cause Severe Infection Among Men who Have Sex With Men as Tinea Genitalis.

Very limited data on tinea genitalis, a potentially severe dermatophytosis transmitted during sexual intercourse affecting the genital area, suggest its potential to cause outbreaks. Thus, we investigated genital dermatophyte infections at an HIV/sexually transmitted infection clinic and identified 17 men who have sex with men (all people with HIV or pre-exposure prophylaxis users) diagnosed with tinea genitalis.

No evidence of asymptomatic monkeypox infection in a highly sexually active MSM population in Austria.

Background: The 2022 outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) revealed new transmission routes. Incidence declined sharply in September 2022, and it remains unclear whether MPXV is circulating in asymptomatic individuals because of increased immunity.

Objectives: Our study aimed to assesss the number of asymtomatic MPXV carriers in individuals at high risk for STI.

Prevalence and dynamics of NAFLD-associated fibrosis in people living with HIV in Vienna from first presentation to last follow-up.

Background/aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequent in people living with HIV (PLWH) and may be aggravated by metabolic comorbidities and antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated adverse effects.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed epidemiological, clinical and laboratory parameters and ART regimens at HIV diagnosis (BL) and at last follow-up (FU) in 1458 PLWH without viral hepatitis coinfection attending our HIV clinic in 2014-2016. Fibrosis was non-invasively assessed by the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS).

Low mortality despite temporary liver dysfunction in severe courses of acute hepatitis E.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause severe viral hepatitis and eventually liver failure. We aim to provide novel data on the epidemiology and the course of HEV infections from Q1/2008 to Q3/2018 at the Vienna General Hospital.

Methods: Of the 88,945 people tested, we identified HEV-IgM positive (+) or HEV-PCR (+) patients and retrospectively collated information on the course of infection from patient records.

Progress of Hepatitis C elimination in Viennese people living with HIV after two decades of increasing cure rates.

Background & Aims: Interferon(IFN)-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy has been replaced by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We assessed temporal trends in patient characteristics, transmission risks, treatment initiation, and cure rates in eras of IFN, restricted DAA-access, and unrestricted DAA-access in Viennese HCV/HIV-coinfected patients (HIV/HCV).

Methods: Consecutive HIV/HCV-coinfected patients starting HCV treatment at the Vienna General Hospital between 2002 and 2020 were retrospectively enrolled.

Dupilumab-induced skin-associated side effects in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a typical type-2 inflammation involving T-helper type-2 cells and impairing quality of life due to nasal obstruction, discharge and reduced sense of smell. Recently, the anti-IL4Rα antibody dupilumab was approved for CRSwNP. While dermatologic side effects in patients treated with dupilumab for atopic dermatitis are frequently observed, there is limited knowledge about these effects in patients with CRSwNP.

HCV hotline facilitates Hepatitis C elimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates healthcare restrictions that also affected ongoing hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination efforts. We assessed the value of a physician-operated HCV hotline on treatment and cure rates throughout the pandemic. All HCV patients undergoing HCV therapy at the Vienna General Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were included.

Resistance profiles of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Vienna, Austria: a phenotypic and genetic characterization from 2013 to 2020.

Objectives: International surveillance data show a constant rise in the number of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections and an increase in drug resistance of N. gonorrhoeae. As recent N.

Risk of hepatitis C reinfection following successful therapy among people living with HIV: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Background: The benefits of direct-acting antivirals towards the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people living with HIV are decreased when individuals are reinfected with HCV following treatment. We aimed to systematically review the existing evidence of HCV reinfection risk after treatment among people living with HIV, including people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men (MSM), and to identify the factors that explain heterogeneity in the incidence of HCV reinfection.

Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and conference presentations from date of database inception to Jan 10, 2022, for clinical trials and cohort studies providing data that could be used to calculate the incidence of HCV reinfection following HCV treatment.

Angiopoietin 2 levels decrease after HCV-cure and reflect the evolution of portal hypertension.

Background: Portal hypertension (PH) does not resolve in a considerable proportion of patients who achieved HCV-cure.

Aims: To investigate (i)whether HCV-cure impacts cytokines that orchestrate angiogenesis (i.e.