The incidence and prevalence of immunoglobulin A nephropathy in the United States.

Aims: Reliable national estimates for the incidence and prevalence of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in the United States (U.S.) are needed.

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in the general population: results from a national survey, Estonia, July to December 2022.

IntroductionObtaining epidemiological data on chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential to monitor progress towards the hepatitis C elimination targets.AimWe aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic HCV and the seroprevalence of HCV in the adult general population in Estonia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study, conducted between 12 July and 6 December 2022, included anonymised residual sera collected prospectively from patients 18 years and older visiting a general practitioner in all counties of Estonia.

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in the general population: results from a national survey, Romania, 2020 to 2023.

IntroductionA national study from 2006 to 2008 showed a high antibody prevalence of 3.2% against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Romania, but more recent epidemiological data on hepatitis C prevalence are lacking.AimWe aimed to estimate the current prevalence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) and chronic HCV infection in the general adult population in Romania, as a crucial element in monitoring progress towards eliminating hepatitis C.

Advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer in Japan: a study using the Japan Medical Data Center payer claims database.

Biliary tract cancers are aggressive, with poor prognosis. This study describes clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and healthcare resource utilization in patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer in Japan. This cohort-based study collected data from the Japan Medical Data Center claims database (2014-2018).

Time Required for Nanopore Whole-Genome Sequencing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae for Identification of Phylogenetic Relationships.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global health challenge. Limitations to AMR surveillance reporting, alongside reduction in culture-based susceptibility testing, has resulted in a need for rapid diagnostics and strain detection. We investigated Nanopore sequencing time, and depth, to accurately identify closely related N.

Facilitators and barriers for clinical implementation of a 30-minute point-of-care test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis into clinical care: A qualitative study within sexual health services in England.

Point-of-care tests (POCTs) to diagnose sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have potential to positively impact patient management and patient perceptions of clinical services. Yet there remains a disconnect between development of new technologies and their implementation into clinical care. With the advent of new STI POCTs arriving to the global market, guidance for their successful adoption and implementation into clinical services is urgently needed.

Vaginal microbiota in ethnically diverse young women who did or did not develop pelvic inflammatory disease: community-based prospective study.

Objectives: A lactobacilli-dominated vaginal microbiome may protect against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), but one dominated by species might increase susceptibility. Not all lactobacilli are equally protective. Recent research suggests that D(-) isomer lactic acid producing lactobacilli ( and ) may protect against infection with , an important cause of PID.

Sexually transmitted infections and factors associated with risky sexual practices among female sex workers: A cross sectional study in a large Andean city.

Background: There are limited published data on factors related to risky sexual practices (RSP) affecting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Ecuador.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of FSWs presenting for a consultation in a primary health care centre during 2017. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on RSP and potential risk factors including age, membership of an FSW association, self-report of previous STI diagnosis, previous treatment for suspected STI and temporary migration for sex work.

Sexual behaviour patterns and STI risk: results of a cluster analysis among men who have sex with men in Portugal.

Objectives: Portugal has the highest HIV incidence rate in Western Europe. The proportion assigned to sexual contact between men recently increased to more than 30% of all HIV infections. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), increasing the per-contact risk of HIV infection.

High prevalence of coinfection of azithromycin-resistant with other STIs: a prospective observational study of London-based symptomatic and STI-contact clinic attendees.

Objectives: Azithromycin treatment of (CT) may not be adequate to treat concomitant (MG) infection, and particularly if MG has macrolide resistance-associated mutations (MG-MRAMs). We estimated prevalence of coinfections of CT with MG carrying MRAM, and risk factors for MG-MRAM among a sexual health clinic population.

Study Design And Setting: Among symptomatic and STI-contact clinic attendees in London, prevalence of CT-MG coinfection and MG-MRAM were estimated using nucleic acid amplification testing and Sanger sequencing, respectively, and their associated risk factors analysed using logistic regression.

The association between region of birth and sexually transmitted infections among people of black Caribbean ethnicity attending sexual health services in England, 2015.

Background/introduction: In England, people of Black Caribbean (BC) ethnicity are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but it is unclear whether this varies by their region of birth.

Aim(s)/objectives: To examine differences in STI diagnoses among UK- and Caribbean-born BC people.

Methods: Data on STI diagnoses in BC people attending specialist sexual health services (SHSs) during 2015 and living in England were obtained from the GUMCAD STI surveillance system, the national surveillance system for STIs in England.

Who is coming back for more chlamydia testing within non-specialist health services and where do they go? England, 2013-2016.

Objectives: To investigate patient demographics and venue type preferences within community settings associated with re-attendance for chlamydia testing.

Study Design: Data used for this analysis were obtained from the English National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) which focuses on prevention, control and treatment of chlamydia in sexually active under-25 year olds. A greater understanding of how young adults attend services helps to inform commissioners regarding where to focus resources within community settings.

Predicting STI Diagnoses Amongst MSM and Young People Attending Sexual Health Clinics in England: Triage Algorithm Development and Validation Using Routine Clinical Data.

Background: Sexual health (SH) services increasingly need to prioritise those at greatest risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We used SH surveillance data to develop algorithms to triage individuals attending SH services within two high-risk populations: men who have sex with men (MSM) and young people (YP).

Methods: Separate multivariable logistic regression models for MSM and YP were developed using surveillance data on demographics, recent sexual history, prior STI diagnoses and drug/alcohol use from five clinics in 2015-2016 to identify factors associated with new STI diagnoses.

Just Google it! Impact of media coverage of an outbreak of high-level azithromycin-resistant on online searches, and attendances, testing and diagnoses at sexual health clinics in England between 2015 and 2016: an interrupted time series analysis using surveillance data.

Objectives: To determine if media coverage of an outbreak of high-level azithromycin-resistant (HL-AziR) impacted online search interest or was temporally associated with health-seeking behaviours in several English cities.

Methods: A descriptive analysis of outbreak-related online media articles and relative search interest (RSI) using Google and an interrupted time series analysis using routine surveillance data from sexual health clinics (SHCs) in England (GUMCAD STI surveillance system). The main outcomes were adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of weekly attendances, gonorrhoea tests and diagnoses of gonorrhoea or 'any STI' in selected cities after media coverage of the outbreak in 2015 and 2016.

Preparing for PrEP: estimating the size of the population eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in England.

Objectives: The size of the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) who may be eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) in England remains unknown. To plan for a national PrEP implementation trial, we estimated the number of MSM attending sexual health clinics (SHCs) that may be eligible for HIV-PrEP in England.

Methods: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance data from 2010 to 2015 from the GUMCAD surveillance system were used to estimate the annual number of HIV-negative MSM who may be eligible for HIV-PrEP in England.

Health-related quality of life and psychosocial impacts of a diagnosis of non-specific genital infection in symptomatic heterosexual men attending UK sexual health clinics: a feasibility study.

Introduction: Non-specific genital infection (NSGI; non-, non--associated urethritis) is a common diagnosis in symptomatic heterosexual men attending UK sexual health clinics (SHCs). but little is known about the psychosocial impact of this diagnosis.

Methods: We conducted an observational study among symptomatic heterosexual men attending SHCs to evaluate the psychosocial impact of an NSGI diagnosis compared with a diagnosis of (CT), or no abnormalities detected focusing on the feasibility of our study methodology.

100 years of STIs in the UK: a review of national surveillance data.

Objectives: The 1916 Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases was established in response to epidemics of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the UK. In the 100 years since the Venereal Diseases Act (1917), the UK has experienced substantial scientific, economic and demographic changes. We describe historical and recent trends in STIs in the UK.

Is previous azithromycin treatment associated with azithromycin resistance in ? A cross-sectional study using national surveillance data in England.

Objectives: It has been suggested that treatment of STIs with azithromycin may facilitate development of azithromycin resistance in (NG) by exposing the organism to suboptimal doses. We investigated whether treatment history for non-rectal (CT), non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) or NG (proxies for azithromycin exposure) in sexual health (GUM) services was associated with susceptibility of NG to azithromycin.

Methods: Azithromycin susceptibility data from the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP 2013-2015, n=4606) and additional high-level azithromycin-resistant isolates (HL-AziR) identified by the Public Health England reference laboratory (2013-2016, n=54) were matched to electronic patient records in the national GUMCAD STI surveillance dataset (2012-2016).

Experiences of stigma and discrimination in social and healthcare settings among trans people living with HIV in the UK.

The People Living with HIV StigmaSurvey UK 2015 was a community led national survey investigating experiences of people living with HIV in the UK in the past 12 months. Participants aged 18 and over were recruited through over 120 cross-sector community organisations and 46 HIV clinics to complete an anonymous online survey. Trans is an umbrella term which refers to individuals whose current gender identity is different to the gender they were assigned at birth.

Prevalence of and factors associated with MDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae in England and Wales between 2004 and 2015: analysis of annual cross-sectional surveillance surveys.

Objectives: To describe trends in prevalence, susceptibility profile and risk factors for MDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MDR-NG) in England and Wales.

Methods: Isolates from 16 242 gonorrhoea episodes at sexual health clinics within the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP) underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing. MDR-NG was defined as resistance to ceftriaxone, cefixime or azithromycin, plus at least two of penicillin, ciprofloxacin and spectinomycin.

Factors associated with four atypical cases of congenital syphilis in England, 2016 to 2017: an ecological analysis.

Four isolated cases of congenital syphilis born to mothers who screened syphilis negative in the first trimester were identified between March 2016 and January 2017 compared with three cases between 2010 and 2015. The mothers were United Kingdom-born and had no syphilis risk factors. Cases occurred in areas with recent increases in sexually-transmitted syphilis among women and men who have sex with men, some behaviourally bisexual, which may have facilitated bridging between sexual networks.

Ethnic variations in sexual behaviours and sexual health markers: findings from the third British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3).

Background: Sexual health entails the absence of disease and the ability to lead a pleasurable and safe sex life. In Britain, ethnic inequalities in diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STI) persist; however, the reasons for these inequalities, and ethnic variations in other markers of sexual health, remain poorly understood. We investigated ethnic differences in hypothesised explanatory factors such as socioeconomic factors, substance use, depression, and sexual behaviours, and whether they explained ethnic variations in sexual health markers (reported STI diagnoses, attendance at sexual health clinics, use of emergency contraception, and sexual function).