Chlamydia trachomatis suppresses host cell store-operated Ca entry and inhibits NFAT/calcineurin signaling.

The obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, replicates within a parasitophorous vacuole termed an inclusion. During development, host proteins critical for regulating intracellular calcium (Ca) homeostasis interact with the inclusion membrane. The inclusion membrane protein, MrcA, interacts with the inositol-trisphosphate receptor (IPR), an ER cationic channel that conducts Ca.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Preferences for Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Southeastern United States: Implications for a Post-COVID-19 Era.

Background: Little is known regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing preferences for location, staffing, and hours of operation among Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the Southeastern United States, a population at high risk for HIV/STIs. We used a discrete choice experiment to explore these preferences.

Methods: Young Black men who have sex with men ages 16 to 35 years in Birmingham, AL and Jackson, MS completed online surveys evaluating their preferences (best/worst) for HIV/STI testing locations, staffing, hours, method of results notification, and cost.

Case Report: Emergent Resistance in a Treatment-Naive Person With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Under Bictegravir-Based Therapy.

Few instances of treatment-emergent resistance to bictegravir have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of treatment-emergent resistance to bictegravir in a person recently diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus who developed M184V and R263K mutations while on therapy.

Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Outcomes of Hospitalized Adults with COVID-19: Early Experience from an Academic Medical Center in Mississippi.

Objectives: To describe the demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in an academic medical center in the southern United States.

Methods: Retrospective, observational cohort study of all adult patients (18 years and older) consecutively admitted with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection between March 13 and April 25, 2020 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. All of the patients either survived to hospital discharge or died during hospitalization.

Infection and nuclear interaction in mammalian cells by 'Candidatus Berkiella cookevillensis', a novel bacterium isolated from amoebae.

Background: 'Candidatus Berkiella cookevillensis' and 'Ca. Berkiella aquae' have previously been described as intranuclear bacteria of amoebae. Both bacteria were isolated from amoebae and were described as appearing within the nuclei of Acanthamoeba polyphaga and ultimately lysing their host cells within 4 days.

Extragenital Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: Missed Treatment Opportunities for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men?

Objectives: This study of young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) assessed the prevalence of extragenital chlamydia and gonorrhea among those testing negative for urethral infections, and compared prevalence of both by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.

Methods: A convenience sample of 609 YBMSM was recruited for a cross-sectional study from 2 sexual health clinics located in Jackson, MS. To detect Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), nucleic acid amplification testing was performed on urine, rectal swabs, and oral swabs.

Is Sex with Older Male Partners Associated with Higher Sexual Risk Behavior Among Young Black MSM?

Participants at a sexual health clinic completed a survey with questions regarding sexual risk behavior and partner characteristics. Of 585 participants eligible for analysis, 124 reported generally having older male partners. These participants were significantly more likely to be HIV-infected (p < 0.

Does Age Matter Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men? A Comparison of Risk Behaviors Stratified by Age Category.

The purpose of this study is to assess whether different sexual risk behavior exists among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) as a function of age. A total of 382 YBMSM completed a computer-assisted self-interview at a sexual health clinic. The frequency/prevalence of fifteen sexual risk behaviors was compared between three groups (ages 16-19, 20-25, and 26-29, respectively) in the 90 days prior to enrollment in the study.

Sexual Network Profiles and Risk Factors for STIs Among African-American Sexual Minorities in Mississippi: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

This cross-sectional study assessed sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, substance use, sexual behaviors, and sexual network profiles among African American sexual minorities in Jackson, Mississippi. Bivariate chi-square tests and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models explored individual and partner-related factors. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, male African American sexual minorities reported fewer sex partners (odds ratios [OR] 0.

Prevalence and predictors of concurrent sexual partnerships in a predominantly African American population in Jackson, Mississippi.

Concurrent sexual partnerships, or sexual partnerships that overlap in time, have been associated with HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). How best to measure concurrency and the personal characteristics and predictors of concurrency are not yet well understood. We compared two frequently used concurrency definitions, including a self-reported measure based on participant response regarding overlapping sex with partners, and the UNAIDS measure based on overlapping dates of last sex and intention to have sex again.