Correlates of Bacterial Ulcers and Acute HSV-2 Infection among Men with Genital Ulcer Disease in South Africa: Age, Recent Sexual Behaviors, and HIV.

Data from baseline surveys and STI/HIV laboratory tests (n=615 men) were used to examine correlates of bacterial ulcers (, , or L1-L3 detected in ulcer) and acute HSV-2 ulcers (HSV-2 positive ulcer specimen, HSV-2 sero-negative, and negative for bacterial pathogens) vs. recurrent HSV-2 ulcers (sero-positive), separately. Compared to men with recurrent HSV-2 ulcers, men with bacterial ulcers had larger ulcers but were less likely to be HIV-positive whereas men with acute HSV-2 ulcers were younger with fewer partners.

Undiagnosed hepatitis B and C infection is rare in Sydney gay and bisexual men attending a community HIV testing site.

This letter reports on an enhanced surveillance snapshot of hepatitis B and C at a men who have sex with men community testing site in inner Sydney. The finding show undiagnosed hepatitis B and C infection is rare in this population of gay and bisexual men. Evidence of immunity to hepatitis B through vaccination is high, however client knowledge of vaccination status is poor.

Psychological distress among re-education through labour camp detainees in Guangxi Autonomous Region, China.

Background: There is currently no information about the prevalence of, and factors contributing to psychological distress experienced by re-education through labour camp detainees in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was conducted in three labour camps in Guangxi, China. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics; sexually transmissible infections (STIs); drug use; psychological distress (K-10); and health service usage and access inside the labour camps.

Treatment efficacy of azithromycin 1 g single dose versus doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days for the treatment of rectal chlamydia among men who have sex with men - a double-blind randomised controlled trial protocol.

Background: Rectal infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmissible infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) with diagnosis rates continuing to rise. Current treatment guidelines recommend either azithromycin 1 g single dose or doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days. However, there are increasing concerns about treatment failure with azithromycin.

Changes in the rates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance are primarily driven by dynamic fluctuations in common gonococcal genotypes.

Objectives: To examine how gonococcal genotypes and associated changes over time influence rates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: All available N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected in New South Wales, Australia in the first half of both 2012 and 2014 were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY iPLEX platform.

A longitudinal cohort study of HIV 'treatment as prevention' in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: the Treatment with Antiretrovirals and their Impact on Positive And Negative men (TAIPAN) study protocol.

Background: Australia has increased coverage of antiretroviral treatment (ART) over the past decade, reaching 73% uptake in 2014. While ART reduces AIDS-related deaths, accumulating evidence suggests that it could also bolster prevention efforts by reducing the risk of HIV transmission ('treatment as prevention'). While promising, evidence of community-level impact of treatment as prevention on reducing HIV incidence among gay and bisexual men is limited.

Multi-centre field evaluation of the performance of the Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold HIV 1/2 rapid test as a first-line screening assay for gay and bisexual men compared with 4th generation laboratory immunoassays.

Background: The Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold HIV test (Uni-Gold) is often used as a supplementary rapid test in testing algorithms.

Objective: To evaluate the operational performance of the Uni-Gold as a first-line screening test among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in a setting where 4th generation HIV laboratory assays are routinely used.

Study Design: We compared the performance of Uni-Gold with conventional HIV serology conducted in parallel among GBM attending 22 testing sites.

HIV testing self-efficacy is associated with higher HIV testing frequency and perceived likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men.

Unlabelled: Background Regular testing of individuals at higher-risk of HIV is central to current prevention strategies. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which confidence in one's perceived ability to undertake various aspects of HIV testing and self-testing (self-efficacy) affected HIV testing outcomes. We assessed factors, including self-efficacy, associated with HIV testing frequency and the likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men (GBM).

Human Papillomavirus Prevalence in Unvaccinated Heterosexual Men After a National Female Vaccination Program.

Background: In Australia, high uptake of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (4vHPV) vaccine has led to reductions in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes 6, 11, 16, and 18 in women and girls aged ≤25 years. We evaluated the impact of the program impact on HPV prevalence in unvaccinated male subjects.

Methods: Sexually active heterosexual male subjects aged 16-35 years were recruited in 2014-2016.

Reactive arthritis following a Microsporidia infection.

Reactive arthritis may be caused by both sexually transmissible and enteric organisms, though Microsporidia is not currently recognised as a causative agent. This case report describes the development of reactive arthritis following Microsporidia infection in an immunocompetent man.

Seasonal variation in gonorrhoea incidence among men who have sex with men.

Unlabelled: Background After reviewing urethral gonorrhoea cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) at the South Australia Specialist Sexual Health (SASSH) in Adelaide, Australia, we noticed peaks of gonorrhoea among MSM occurred predominantly in the first quarter of the year (January-March). The aim of this study was to formally test this hypothesis against data from a similar period at three sexual health services, one each in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of computerised records at the three Australian sexual health services.

Mixed gonococcal infections in a high-risk population, Sydney, Australia 2015: implications for antimicrobial resistance surveillance?

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that mixed-strain gonococcal infections can occur. However, it remains unclear whether such infections impact upon the reliability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. In this study, we aimed to resolve this question by intensively sampling isolates from gonorrhoea-positive specimens in a high-risk population in Sydney, Australia.

The Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Australia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study, 2012.

Background:  Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is considered a serious global threat.

Methods:  In this nationwide study, we used MassARRAY iPLEX genotyping technology to examine the epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae and associated AMR in the Australian population.

A cross-sectional study of HIV and STIs among male sex workers attending Australian sexual health clinics.

Objectives: Although sex work is frequently characterised as a practice with high risk for HIV and other STIs, little is known about the epidemiology of these infections among men who sell sex in Australia. This study reports the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, infectious syphilis and HIV among men who have sex with men attending Australian publicly funded sexual health clinics and compares prevalence between sex workers and non-sex workers.

Methods: From 2011 to 2014, de-identified patient data were extracted from 40 sexual health clinics in four Australian jurisdictions.

2016 IANS International Guidelines for Practice Standards in the Detection of Anal Cancer Precursors.

Objectives: To define minimum standards for provision of services and clinical practice in the investigation of anal cancer precursors.

Methods: After initial face to face meetings of experts at the International Papillomavirus meeting in Lisbon, September 17 to 21, 2015, a first version was drafted and sent to key stakeholders. A complete draft was reviewed by the Board of the International Anal Neoplasia Society (IANS) and uploaded to the IANS Web site for all members to provide comments.

The prevalence of human papillomavirus infections and associated risk factors in men-who-have-sex-with-men in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: We investigated the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated behavioural risk factors in men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) attending a clinical service in Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods: MSM were enrolled at the Ivan Toms Centre for Men's Health in Cape Town. A psychosocial and sexual behavioral risk questionnaire was completed for each participant and urine, oro-pharyngeal and anal swabs were collected for HPV testing using the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test.

CpG Methylation Analysis of HPV16 in Laser Capture Microdissected Archival Tissue and Whole Tissue Sections from High Grade Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions: A Potential Disease Biomarker.

Incidence and mortality rates of anal cancer are increasing globally. More than 90% of anal squamous cell carcinomas (ASCC) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). Studies on HPV-related anogenital lesions have shown that patterns of methylation of viral and cellular DNA targets could potentially be developed as disease biomarkers.

Does Living Outside of a Major City Impact on the Timeliness of Chlamydia Treatment? A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: Timely treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection reduces complications and onward transmission. We assessed client, process, and clinic factors associated with treatment delays at sexual health clinics in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods: A retrospective review of 450 consecutive clients with positive chlamydia results (not treated at the time of the consultation) was undertaken at 6 clinics (1 urban, 3 regional, and 2 remote) from October 2013.

Protocol for an open-label, single-arm trial of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among people at high risk of HIV infection: the NSW Demonstration Project PRELUDE.

Introduction: Despite a number of HIV prevention strategies, the number of new HIV infections remains high. In Australia, over three-quarters of new HIV diagnoses are in gay and bisexual men (GBM). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be effective at preventing new HIV infections in several randomised trials.

A novel point-of-care testing strategy for sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in high-burden settings: results of a feasibility study in Papua New Guinea.

Background: Sexually transmitted and genital infections in pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes. High prevalences of sexually transmitted infections have been identified among antenatal attenders in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea has amongst the highest neonatal mortality rates worldwide, with preterm birth and low birth weight major contributors to neonatal mortality.

Australian pharmacists' willingness to conduct rapid HIV testing in community pharmacies.

Community pharmacists are expanding their roles in health care, especially as they are distributed over wide geographical areas and are often open long hours. New rapid HIV testing technologies may offer further opportunities to expand their roles. A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian community pharmacists found most prepared to provide treatment to HIV patients, with the majority willing to become involved in rapid HIV testing.

A Composite Cytology-Histology Endpoint Allows a More Accurate Estimate of Anal High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion Prevalence.

Background: There is debate about the accuracy of anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA), in the diagnosis of anal human papillomavirus (HPV)-related squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). Few studies have performed both simultaneously in a large sample of high-risk individuals.

Methods: At baseline in a community-based cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected homosexual men ages ≥35 years in Sydney, Australia, all men underwent anal swabbing for cytology and HPV genotyping, and HRA-guided biopsy.

Treponema pallidum Strain Types and Association with Macrolide Resistance in Sydney, Australia: New TP0548 Gene Types Identified.

Strain typing of Treponema pallidum, using the three-target enhanced classification scheme, was performed with 191 samples obtained between 2004 and 2011 in Sydney, Australia. The most common strain type was 14d/g (92/191 samples [48%]). Two new TP0548 gene types were detected (m and n).