Syphilis testing adherence among women with livebirth deliveries: Indianapolis 2014-2016.

Background: The number of congenital syphilis (CS) cases in the United States are increasing. Effective prevention of CS requires routine serologic testing and treatment of infected pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends testing all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit and subsequent testing at 28 weeks gestation and delivery for women at increased risk.

Characteristics of the Largest Network Component of Individuals With or Exposed to Early Syphilis in Central Indiana: 2016 to 2017.

Background: The surge of syphilis infections in the United States continues. This study examined the sexual networks of early syphilis cases to determine whether repeat infection, demographics, or behaviors differed among network components (groups of connected persons).

Methods: We examined a retrospective cohort of all early syphilis cases in Central Indiana reported from January, 1, 2016, to January 24, 2018, in the state's reporting database.

Provider Adherence to Syphilis Testing Guidelines Among Stillbirth Cases.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all women with a stillbirth have a syphilis test after delivery. Our study seeks to evaluate adherence to CDC guidelines for syphilis screening among women with a stillbirth delivery.

Methods: We used data recorded in electronic health records for women who gave birth between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016.

Validation of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification Codes for Identifying Cases of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

Background: While researchers seek to use administrative health data to examine outcomes for individuals with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes used to identify persons with chlamydia and gonorrhea have not been validated. Objectives were to determine the validity of using ICD-10-CM codes to identify individuals with chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Methods: We used data from electronic health records gathered from public and private health systems from October 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016.

Improving Notifiable Disease Case Reporting Through Electronic Information Exchange-Facilitated Decision Support: A Controlled Before-and-After Trial.

Objective: Outbreak detection and disease control may be improved by simplified, semi-automated reporting of notifiable diseases to public health authorities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an electronic, prepopulated notifiable disease report form on case reporting rates by ambulatory care clinics to public health authorities.

Methods: We conducted a 2-year (2012-2014) controlled before-and-after trial of a health information exchange (HIE) intervention in Indiana designed to prepopulate notifiable disease reporting forms to providers.

Reliability of administrative data to identify sexually transmitted infections for population health: a systematic review.

Introduction: International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in administrative health data are used to identify cases of disease, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), for population health research. The purpose of this review is to examine the extant literature on the reliability of ICD codes to correctly identify STIs.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of empirical articles in which ICD codes were validated with respect to their ability to identify cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Where Do People Go for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Tests: A Cross-Sectional View of the Central Indiana Population, 2003-2014.

Background: Despite major efforts to control their spread, reported sexually transmitted infections (STI) are increasing. Using data from a mid-sized Midwest metropolitan area, we examined the settings in which individuals are tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia in relation to demographics and test result to determine where interventions may best be focused.

Methods: A deidentified and integrated registry, containing records from all patients tested for an STI from 2003 to 2014, was created by combining data from a large health information exchange and the reporting district's STI Program located in Indianapolis, IN.

An Integrated Surveillance System to Examine Testing, Services, and Outcomes for Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Despite laws that require reporting of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to governmental health agencies, integrated surveillance of STDs remains challenging. Data and information about testing are fragmented from information on treatment and outcomes. To overcome this fragmentation, data from multiple electronic systems spanning clinical and public health environments were integrated to create an STD surveillance registry.

Neisseria meningitidis ST11 Complex Isolates Associated with Nongonococcal Urethritis, Indiana, USA, 2015-2016.

At a clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, we observed an increase in Neisseria gonorrhoeae-negative men with suspected gonococcal urethritis who had urethral cultures positive for N. meningitidis. We describe genomes of 2 of these N.

Occupational HIV Transmission Among Male Adult Film Performers - Multiple States, 2014.

In 2014, the California Department of Public Health was notified by a local health department of a diagnosis of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection* and rectal gonorrhea in a male adult film industry performer, aged 25 years (patient A). Patient A had a 6-day history of rash, fever, and sore throat suggestive of acute retroviral syndrome at the time of examination. He was informed of his positive HIV and gonorrhea test results 6 days after his examination.

Cervical cancer screening in a sexually transmitted disease clinic: screening adoption experiences from a midwestern clinic.

Objectives: We examined whether a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic could reach women who had not received a Papanicolau (Pap) test in the past 3 years. We also explored staff attitudes and implementation of cervical cancer screening.

Methods: Women (n = 123) aged 30 to 50 years were offered cervical cancer screening in an Indiana STD clinic.

Implementation of routine access to herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody testing in a public health sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Background: Testing for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antibody is not common in clinical practice. Client characteristics associated with HSV-2 rapid antibody test uptake and test positivity were analyzed in clients attending an urban sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Methods: This optional test was available for $30.

Slips, breaks and 'falls': condom errors and problems reported by men attending an STD clinic.

The objective was to comprehensively assess the prevalence of condom-use errors and problems among male clients attending a public sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Men (n = 278) attending an STD clinic completed an anonymous questionnaire. Seven errors and six problems were assessed.

A theory-based approach to understanding condom errors and problems reported by men attending an STI clinic.

We employed the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model to guide an investigation of correlates for correct condom use among 278 adult (18-35 years old) male clients attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. An anonymous questionnaire aided by a CD-recording of the questions was administered. Linear Structural Relations Program was used to conduct path analyses of the hypothesized IMB model.

Erection loss in association with condom use among young men attending a public STI clinic: potential correlates and implications for risk behaviour.

Background: To assess prevalence of condom-associated erection loss and to identify correlates of erection loss among men attending a sexually transmissible infections (STI) clinic.

Methods: Men (n = 278) attending an STI clinic responded to an anonymous questionnaire aided by a CD recording of the questions. The sample was screened to include only men who had used a condom during penile-vaginal sex at least three times in the past 3 months.

Does linezolid cause lactic acidosis by inhibiting mitochondrial protein synthesis?

Linezolid, an oxazolidinone antibiotic, inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). We studied 3 patients who experienced lactic acidosis while receiving linezolid therapy. The toxicity may have been caused by linezolid binding to mitochondrial 16S rRNA.

Syphilis testing in association with gonorrhea/chlamydia testing during a syphilis outbreak.

We used an electronic medical records system retrospectively to evaluate how frequently, in a public hospital and its clinics, combined gonorrhea/chlamydia tests were accompanied by a syphilis test before and during a syphilis outbreak. Among 70,330 gonorrhea/chlamydia tests (1996-2000), the proportion with a syphilis test increased from 13% (preoutbreak) to 50% (intervention period) for men and from 6% to 13% for nonpregnant women. The increased syphilis testing coincided with a multifaceted public health intervention.