Objectives: Prevention and control of gonorrhoea depends on understanding the nature of sexual networks and risk factors for infection. We aimed to use high-resolution typing (whole genome sequencing (WGS)) of isolates plus patient questionnaire data to gain insights into transmission patterns in a high prevalence setting.
Methods: During a 9-month period (July 2014-March 2015), patients diagnosed with gonorrhoea attending sexual health service in Brighton, UK, were invited to provide anonymised detailed information by questionnaire about risk factors for infection. Questionnaire data plus WGS data from cultured isolates were analysed to yield information about sexual networks and risk factors for infection.
Results: 104/149 individuals who consented to participate in the study were culture positive. 97/104 (93%) were male. 80 self-reported to be men who have sex with men (MSM). 35/104 (34%) of patients were HIV positive. 51/104 (49%) individuals reported using geosocial networking applications to facilitate contact. Sex under the influence of drugs was reported by 16/34 (46%) of HIV-positive MSM, 17/41 (41%) of HIV-negative MSM and 5/15 (31%) of heterosexuals. WGS data were available for 100 isolates from 83 patients. 55 isolates (66%) belonged to genetically related subtypes involving one or more patients, who could be plausibly linked through recent direct or indirect transmission. Four transmission clusters containing 3-12 individuals were composed of MSM of mixed HIV serostatus.
Conclusions: We show that data obtained from WGS of and enhanced epidemiological data obtained from patient questionnaires are mutually supportive and reveal insights into sexual networks. Our findings suggest that serosorting may have declined as a practice and indicate the importance of designing public health interventions that target infection risks associated with recreational drug use and contact made using geosocial networking applications.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2017-053198 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Network analysis of PTSD symptoms following childbirth and comorbid conditions among women with sexual trauma history.
Arch Womens Ment Health
March 2025
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, B62 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
Purpose: Women with a history of sexual trauma (ST) have heightened risk for postpartum psychopathology. Although ST increases risk for traumatic delivery and maternal psychopathology, knowledge of the functional connections among various psychiatric symptoms and complicated delivery remains limited.
Methods: We used regularized partial correlation networks to examine connections between symptoms of childbirth-related PTSD (CB-PTSD), depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and complicated delivery (e.
Latinx sexual minority men (SMM) living in the U.S. endure intersectional oppression which has been linked to their engagement in sexual risk behaviors, increasing their risk for adverse outcomes such as HIV/STI/STD contraction and ongoing poverty.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGut microbiome-driven regulation of sex hormone homeostasis: a potential neuroendocrine connection.
Gut Microbes
December 2025
Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
The gut microbiome is known to have a bidirectional relationship with sex hormone homeostasis; however, its role in mediating interactions between the primary regulatory axes of sex hormones and their productions is yet to be fully understood. We utilized both conventionally raised and gnotobiotic mouse models to investigate the regulatory role of the gut microbiome on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Male and female conventionally raised mice underwent surgical modifications as follows: (1) hormonally intact controls; (2) gonadectomized males and females; (3) gonadectomized males and females supplemented with testosterone and estrogen, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of COVID-19 on key populations and people living with HIV: recommendations and sociopolitical responses from the EPIC community research program in Latin America.
BMC Public Health
March 2025
Coalition PLUS, Pantin, France.
Background: Health inequality in Latin America is particularly severe for individuals living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations, such as men who have sex with men, transgender women, people who use drugs, and sex workers. Despite regional programs aimed at reducing health inequalities, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas 2018-2030, the COVID-19 health crisis has exposed significant shortcomings in national healthcare systems for PLHIV and key populations. The multi-country, community-based research program, EPIC, was developed by Coalition PLUS within an network of community-based organizations engaged in the response to HIV and viral hepatitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAltered KEGG pathways are associated with different immunologic responses to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected men who have sex with men.
BMC Infect Dis
March 2025
School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background: The association between Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways and immunologic non-response among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not well documented. This study aimed to characterize KEGG metabolic pathways among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with different immunologic responses.
Methods: We recruited HIV-uninfected MSM (healthy controls, HC) and HIV-infected MSM on ART > 24 months in Guangzhou, June-October 2021.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!