Genital herpes - diagnosis, treatments, attitudes and response to disclosure amongst members of the UK Herpes Viruses Association.

A diagnosis of genital herpes may result in psychological as well as physical morbidity. Many patients require on-going help and contact the Herpes Viruses Association (HVA), a UK patient support organisation. The HVA conducts occasional questionnaires relating to various issues surrounding herpes and this study reports on a survey conducted amongst members in 2015.

2016 European guideline on donovanosis.

Donovanosis is a rare sexually transmitted infection now mainly seen in sporadic cases in Papua New Guinea, South Africa, India, Brazil and Australia. The causative organism is Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, though a proposal has been put forward that the organism be reclassified as Klebsiella granulomatis comb nov The incubation period is approximately 50 days with genital papules developing into ulcers that increase in size. Four types of lesions are described - ulcerogranulomatous, hypertrophic, necrotic and sclerotic.

2014 UK national guideline for the management of anogenital herpes.

These guidelines concern the management of anogenital herpes simplex virus infections in adults and give advice on diagnosis, management, and counselling of patients. This guideline replaces the 2007 BASHH herpes guidelines and includes new sections on herpes proctitis, key points to cover with patients regarding transmission and removal of advice on the management of HSV in pregnancy which now has a separate joint BASHH/RCOG guideline.

Black stone - a natural remedy for premature ejaculation and performance enhancement, or maybe not?

We describe the use of a non-prescribed aid (Black stone) for premature ejaculation that resulted in a chemical burn on the penis with an appearance similar to severe balanitis.

Effect of Chlamydia diagnosis on heterosexual relationships.

This study investigated whether a Chlamydia diagnosis was associated with relationship breakup or physical violence from partners when compared to other attenders at a sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinic. Patients diagnosed with Chlamydia and who had a regular partner at the time of diagnosis, were contacted 3-12 months later and completed a questionnaire on relationship history. A comparison group of gender-matched non-STI patients were also interviewed.

Neurocognitive function in HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: To describe factors associated with neurocognitive (NC) function in HIV-positive patients on stable combination antiretroviral therapy.

Design: We undertook a cross-sectional analysis assessing NC data obtained at baseline in patients entering the Protease-Inhibitor-Monotherapy-Versus-Ongoing-Triple therapy (PIVOT) trial.

Main Outcome Measure: NC testing comprised of 5 domains.

Using mathematical modelling to estimate the impact of periodic presumptive treatment on the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and HIV among female sex workers.

Background: In settings with poor sexually transmitted infection (STI) control in high-risk groups, periodic presumptive treatment (PPT) can quickly reduce the prevalence of genital ulcers, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). However, few studies have assessed the impact on HIV. Mathematical modelling is used to quantify the likely HIV impact of different PPT interventions.

Changes in STI services following a community based STI-intervention project in Cambodia.

The aim of this study was to assess changes in sexually transmitted infections (STI) related care following a STI project with a particular focus on registered brothel-based (direct) female sex workers (DFSWs) in four border provinces of Cambodia. A survey of health care facilities providing STI care was undertaken and the results compared with a baseline survey done two years previously. The main components of the project were: renovation of the STI clinics, STI training, formation of mobile teams, provision of STI drugs, and the introduction of basic laboratory tests at STI clinics.

Genital ulcers and concomitant complaints in men attending a sexually transmitted infections clinic: implications for sexually transmitted infections management.

Background: Although genital herpes has emerged as the most common cause of genital ulcers in Southern Africa, treatment for herpes is not available routinely in the region. This study was performed to determine the etiology of genital ulcers in men in Durban and assess other sexually transmitted infections-related symptoms, presentation, and treatment patterns in this group.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were performed on specimens from consecutive male patients with genital ulcers to detect sexually transmitted pathogens.

Rapid HIV testing in a clinic setting.

The aim of this audit was to review the use of a rapid HIV test in a genitourinary (GU) clinic setting. The rapid test was used selectively on patients mainly deemed to be from high-risk groups with risk behaviours. In total, 120 tests were carried out on 90 patients of whom 18 (20%) were HIV positive, including six who had tested positive previously.

Program issues in delivering targeted STI services through the public sector in the Greater Mekong region.

This review discusses the delivery of targeted STI services for both female sex workers (FSWs) and other high-risk groups through the public sector in the Greater Mekong region. Vaginal discharge algorithms for the general population are also discussed. High STI rates that justify targeted interventions have been reported recently amongst FSW in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.

Impact of a community sexually transmitted infection/HIV intervention project on female sex workers in five border provinces of Vietnam.

Objectives: To determine changes in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV in female sex workers (FSWs) after a community HIV prevention intervention project in five border provinces of Vietnam.

Methods: The project focused on providing user-friendly STI services for FSWs using mobile teams operating at multiple sites depending on local client preferences. 911 FSWs were enrolled at baseline and 982 in the exit survey.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection patterns and risk behaviours in different population groups and provinces in Viet Nam.

Objective: To study patterns and determinants of HIV prevalence and risk-behaviour characteristics in different population groups in four border provinces of Viet Nam.

Methods: We surveyed four population groups during April-June 2002. We used stratified random-cluster sampling and collected data concomitantly on HIV status and risk behaviours.