Publications by authors named "L E Asbel"
Background: We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effectiveness (VE) against anal HPV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2018-2023.
Methods: Residual anal specimens from MSM without HIV ages 18-45 years were tested for HPV. We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between vaccination (≥1 dose) and quadrivalent vaccine (4vHPV)-type prevalence adjusting for city, race/ethnicity, and non-vaccine-type HPV prevalence, stratified by age group (18-26, 27-45).
Background: Mycoplasma genitalium is a major contributor to persistent/recurrent urethritis cases. However, there are limited published studies on recent trends of persistent/recurrent urethritis.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of men presenting with symptomatic urethritis in 16 sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics from 2015 to 2019.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted services at sexual health care clinics, leading to a sharp decline in patient visits and the use of telehealth services during 2020.
- Data from seven STD clinics revealed a 68% decrease in clinic visits and 76% drop in unique patients in April 2020 compared to the same month in 2019, with telehealth peaking in December 2020.
- Despite efforts to adapt, by December 2021, these clinics had not returned to pre-pandemic visit levels, indicating ongoing challenges in patient engagement and potential risks for untreated STIs.
Background:: CDC recommendation for treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea (NG) were revised in December 2020 and include ceftriaxone monotherapy when chlamydial infection was excluded. We evaluated the impact of these revised treatment recommendations using data from a network of STD clinics prior to the change in guidelines.
Methods:: We performed a cross-sectional analysis from 8 STD clinics participating in the STD Surveillance Network from Jan 2015-June 2018 assessing gonorrhea/chlamydia (CT) testing episodes, NAAT results, CT only and NG/CT treatment records, and timing of treatment.
Article Synopsis
- - Monkeypox, which originates from an orthopoxvirus and is commonly found in Africa, has led to a public health emergency in the U.S. since its outbreak began in May 2022, with over 2,891 cases reported by late July 2022.
- - The majority of cases (99%) are among men, with a high correlation to male-to-male sexual or intimate contact, and there are significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups, particularly among non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and Black populations.
- - The CDC and health agencies are focusing their response on enhancing testing, treatment, and vaccination, particularly for gay and bisexual men who are significantly impacted, while emphasizing the importance of equity and