Routine universal testing versus selective or incidental testing for oropharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis in women in the Netherlands: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis in women might contribute to autoinoculation and transmission to sexual partners. Data for effectiveness of different testing practices for pharyngeal C trachomatis are scarce. We therefore aimed to assess the prevalence of pharyngeal C trachomatis, determinants, and effectiveness of different testing practices in women.

Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis in Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in The Netherlands: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) was diagnosed in 1.2% and pharyngeal-only CT in 0.5% of routinely universally tested men who have sex with men (MSM).

Culture-Independent Genotyping Revealed 3 Strain Clusters in a Potential Neisseria gonorrhoeae Outbreak in Young Heterosexuals (<25 Years), the Netherlands, October 2017 to March 2019.

Background: Investigation was undertaken to determine the genetic relatedness of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) isolates of young (<25 years) heterosexuals of a potential outbreak from October 2017 to March 2019 in South-Limburg, the Netherlands.

Methods: Data and residual sample material of routine diagnostics were retrieved for outbreak cases (78/81), young heterosexuals at baseline (January 2016 to September 2017, n = 30), and men who have sex with men (2018, n = 47). Total DNA was isolated, and NG was genotyped using culture-free NG multiantigen sequence typing.

High rate of loss to follow-up and virological non-suppression in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy highlights the need to improve quality of care in South Africa.

Provision of high-quality care and ensuring retention of children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated morbidity and mortality. Virological non-suppression (≥1000 viral copies/ml) is an indication of suboptimal HIV care and support. This retrospective cohort study included ART-naïve children who initiated first-line ART between July 2015 and August 2017 in Johannesburg and rural Mopani district.

Routine universal testing versus selective or incidental testing for oropharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women in the Netherlands: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Women are not routinely tested for oropharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae. At present, selective testing based on sexual behaviour or risk groups is advocated by international guidelines. Many oropharyngeal infections are asymptomatic and thus remain undetected, establishing a reservoir for ongoing transmission.

The characteristics of patients frequently tested and repeatedly infected with Chlamydia trachomatis in Southwest Limburg, the Netherlands.

Background: Repeat Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are common. To better understand the characteristics of patients frequently infected with CT at our sexually transmitted infection (STI) care services, we assessed the differences between patients repeatedly infected with CT and those who repeatedly tested negative.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis of cohort data, we assessed individuals tested for CT at different STI care providers between 2011 and mid-2018 in Southwest Limburg, the Netherlands (n = 17,616).

Attitude and beliefs about the social environment associated with chemsex among MSM visiting STI clinics in the Netherlands: An observational study.

Background: Drug use during sex, 'chemsex', is common among men who have sex with men (MSM) and related to sexual and mental health harms. This study assessed associations between chemsex and a wide range of determinants among MSM visiting STI clinics to increase understanding of characteristics and beliefs of MSM practicing chemsex.

Methods: In 2018, 785 MSM were recruited at nine Dutch STI clinics; 368 (47%) fully completed the online questionnaire.

Men and Women Repeatedly Infected With Chlamydia trachomatis Have a Lower Urogenital Bacterial Load.

We assessed whether patients repeatedly infected with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) have a lower urogenital or anorectal CT load. A CT-positive retest was independently associated with higher vaginal and higher urine Cq values (P<0.01).

Sex Abroad Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Its Association With Chemsex, Sexual Risk Behavior, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Netherlands.

Almost half of men who have sex with men visiting Dutch sexually transmitted disease clinics reported sex abroad in the past 6 months, mainly in Western countries. One in 4 men who have sex with men who had sex abroad used drugs during sex ("chemsex") abroad. Having sex abroad was associated with having multiple sex partners and casual sex partner(s).

The Availability and Feasibility of Chemsex Services Within Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics in the Netherlands: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Sexually Transmitted Disease Nurses.

Objectives: Chemsex-using illicit drugs during sex-is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) and associated with sexual and mental health harms. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics are a frequently visited and trusted health care facility for MSM. This study assessed the frequency and extent to which chemsex is addressed by Dutch STD nurses.

Participation, retention, and associated factors of women in a prospective multicenter study on Chlamydia trachomatis infections (FemCure).

Prospective studies are key study designs when attempting to unravel health mechanisms that are widely applicable. Understanding the internal validity of a prospective study is essential to judge a study's quality. Moreover, insights in possible sampling bias and the external validity of a prospective study are useful to judge the applicability of a study's findings.

The Characteristics of Patients Frequently Tested and Repeatedly Infected with .

We assessed whether patients repeatedly infected with (NG) were different compared to patients repeatedly tested negative, to obtain insight into the characteristics of patients frequently tested and infected with NG. All patients tested for NG (n = 16,662) between January 2011 and July 2018 were included. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for the outcomes "repeat NG infections" and "once NG positive and not retested" versus patients "repeatedly tested NG negative".

Men and Women Have an Equal Oropharyngeal and Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis Bacterial Load: A Comparison of 3 Anatomic Sites.

Background: The Chlamydia trachomatis bacterial load could have impact on transmission and sequelae. This is the first study providing comparison of C. trachomatis load at 3 anatomic sites estimated by cycle quantification (Cq) values.

What Is the Optimal Testing Strategy for Oropharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Men Who Have Sex With Men? Comparing Selective Testing Versus Routine Universal Testing From Dutch Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic Data (2008-2017).

Background: Most oropharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are asymptomatic, and many infections remain undetected, creating a reservoir for ongoing transmission and potential drug resistance. It is unclear what the optimal testing policy is in men who have sex with men (MSM), as routine universal testing data are lacking.

Methods: Surveillance data from all Dutch sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics between 2008 and 2017 were used (N = 271 242 consultations).

Prevalence of drug use during sex among swingers and perceived benefits and risks - a cross-sectional internet survey in the Netherlands.

Objectives: Drug use during sex has been associated with sexually transmitted infections (STI). While a growing body of research has investigated drug use during sex among men who have sex with men, data in swingers is limited. Swingers are heterosexual couples who have sex with others and singles who have sex with these couples.

High Rate of Repeat Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in South Africa: A Prospective Cohort Study.

We observed a high rate of incident sexually transmitted diseases within 55 days (median) of follow-up (78% retention) among symptomatic men who have sex with men (n = 78) in South Africa (188 per 100 person-years; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.7); 16 newly acquired and 10 with persistent positivity.

Genital and anal bacterial load in concurrently infected women: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Most international STI guidelines recommend anorectal testing in women after self-reported sexual exposure or symptoms in women. However, it has been shown that the prevalence of anorectal is as high (7%-17 %) in women who do not report anorectal intercourse (AI) as in women who do. This study assessed the correlation between the genital and anorectal load in concurrently infected women for increased microbiological insight.

Chemsex among men who have sex with men living outside major cities and associations with sexually transmitted infections: A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands.

Background: The intentional use of drugs to have sex-chemsex-among men who have sex with men (MSM) might contribute to the high sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevalence in this group. Limited data is available on chemsex outside major cities. The current study investigated the use of a wide variety of drugs during sex among MSM living outside major cities in the Netherlands and their associations with STI.

Chlamydia trachomatis bacterial load, estimated by Cq values, in urogenital samples from men and women visiting the general practice, hospital or STI clinic.

Background: The bacterial load of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is assumed to play a role in transmission and sequelae. We assessed urogenital CT cycle quantification (Cq) values, as an indicator for CT load, of men and women diagnosed by general practitioners (GPs), hospital physicians and the STI clinic.

Methods: Urogenital CT-positive samples (n = 2,055 vaginal swabs, n = 77 cervical swabs, n = 1,519 urine samples and n = 19 urethral swabs) diagnosed by GPs, hospital physicians and the STI clinic from the Maastricht Medical Microbiology Laboratory were included (2012-2016).

Spontaneous clearance of urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal and in women, MSM and heterosexual men visiting the STI clinic: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: (CT) and (NG) infections can clear without treatment. Despite high prevalence of anorectal infections in men who have sex with men (MSM) and women, studies on anorectal clearance are scarce. Moreover it is unknown whether bacterial load affects urogenital/anorectal CT clearance.

Standardisation is necessary in urogenital and extragenital bacterial load determination by quantitative PCR: a review of literature and retrospective study.

Objectives: Pathogen load has been linked to disease severity in patients infected with HIV, resulting in international standards to adequately and reproducibly quantify load. (CT) load has been inconsistently linked to disease severity since extensive differences exist in quantification methods (14 methods in 28 articles). Differences include normalisation for human cell load due to CT's intracellular nature, despite the inability to distinguish inflammatory cells from epithelial cells with molecular techniques.

Test of cure, retesting and extragenital testing practices for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among general practitioners in different socioeconomic status areas: A retrospective cohort study, 2011-2016.

Background: For Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), a test of cure (TOC) within 3-5 weeks is not recommended. International guidelines differ in advising a Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) TOC. Retesting CT and NG positives within 3-12 months is recommended in international guidelines.

Hepatitis E prevalence in a sexual high-risk population compared to the general population.

Transmission routes of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) are under debate. Here, we studied possible sexual transmission by comparing HEV prevalence in a Dutch sexual high-risk population (n = 1,482) with that in a general population (n = 1,487) while assessing sociodemographic and sexual risk factors. Overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG of 18.