Sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men

Homosexuality is a global human phenomenon. Although the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of disorders more than 35 years ago, homophobia among physicians is still widely prevalent. Men who have sex with men (MSM) form a relatively new epidemiological risk group for STI. To perform correct management, clinicians evaluating men with male-male sex contacts for STI related complaints or STI screening must obtain a thorough sexual history. Emerging STI like lymphogranuloma venereum, hepatitis C, and multidrug resistant N. gonorrhea strains have been described first in MSM. STI related proctitis often occur in MSM. Within the MSM population, HIV positive patients form a special group affected by STI related diseases, such as anal carcinoma and neurosyphilis. The final part of this review concludes with recommendations to reduce the STI burden in MSM.     

Sexually transmitted infections in women who have sex with women

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in a sample of women who have sex with women (WSW) and to identify risk factors for the acquisition of STI. METHOD: Cross sectional survey. Questionnaire for demographic, sexual history, and sexual practice data linked with the results of genitourinary examination. 708 new patients attending two sexual health clinics for lesbians and bisexual women in London were surveyed. RESULTS: A majority of WSW reported sexual histories with men (82%). Bacterial vaginosis and candida species were commonly diagnosed (31.4% and 18.4% respectively). Genital warts, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis were infrequently diagnosed (1.6%, 1.1%, and 1.3% respectively). Chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and gonorrhoea infections were rare (0.6%, 0.3%, and 0.3% respectively) and diagnosed only in women who had histories of sex with men. CONCLUSIONS: Although we have demonstrated a low prevalence of STI, WSW may have sexual histories with men as well as women or histories of injecting drug use, and are therefore vulnerable to sexually transmitted or blood borne infections. Diagnosis of trichomoniasis, genital herpes, and genital warts in three women who had no history of sex with men implies that sexual transmission between women is possible.     

男男性行为性病患者性行为特征分析

目的: 分析近一年曾患性传播感染(STI)的男男性行为者(men who have sex with men, MSM)性行为特征及感染STI的影响因素.方法: 对近一年曾患STI者的性行为及STI相关因素进行分析,并与未患STI者进行比较.结果: 近一年曾患STI的MSM同性性伴数、与同性性伴间的高危行为、网络寻找性伴并与网友发生性行为等方面均高于对照组.多因素分析,从事男男性工作和性交时出血与近一年患STI关系密切.结论: 应继续加强对MSM人群进行安全性行为健康教育,以降低STI和HIV感染风险.     

Sexually transmitted infections and risk behaviours in women who have sex with women

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses, risk behaviours, and demographics in women who have sex with women (WSW). METHODS: Retrospective cross sectional study using a multivariate model. Demographic, behavioural, and morbidity data were analysed from standardised medical records of patients attending a public STI and HIV service in Sydney between March 1991 and December 1998. All women with any history of sex with a woman were compared with women who denied ever having sex with another woman (controls). RESULTS: 1408 WSW and 1423 controls were included in the study. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was significantly more common among WSW (OR 1.7, p < 0.001). Abnormalities on cervical cytology were equally prevalent in both groups, except for the higher cytological BV detection rate in WSW (OR 5.3, p = 0.003). Genital herpes and genital warts were common in both groups, although warts were significantly less common in WSW (OR 0.7, p = 0.001). Prevalence of gonorrhoea and chlamydia were low and there were no differences between the groups. The prevalence of hepatitis C was significantly greater in WSW (OR 7.7, p < 0.001), consistent with the more frequent history of injecting drug use in this group (OR 8.0, p < 0.001). WSW were more likely to report previous sexual contact with a homo/bisexual man (OR 3.4, p < 0.001), or with an injecting drug user (OR 4.2, p < 0.001). Only 7% of the WSW reported never having had sexual contact with a male. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a higher prevalence of BV, hepatitis C, and HIV risk behaviours in WSW compared with controls. A similar prevalence of cervical cytology abnormalities was found in both groups. Measures are required to improve our understanding of STI/HIV transmission dynamics in WSW, to facilitate better health service provision and targeted education initiatives.     

Sexual transmission behaviors and serodiscordant partnerships among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Asia

We described sexual transmission behaviors and serodiscordant partnerships among an online sample of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (N = 416) in Asia. High rates of unprotected anal intercourse (74.8%), serodiscordant partnerships (68.5%), and unprotected sex within serodiscordant partnerships (～60.0%) were reported. Increased number of partners, meeting partners on the Internet, drug use before sex, and not knowing one's viral load were associated with unprotected anal intercourse. Efforts to develop and scale up biomedical and behavioral interventions for HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Asia are needed.     

Recent trends in diagnoses of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in England and Wales among men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in rates of diagnoses of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men who have sex with men (MSM) in England and Wales between 1997 and 2002. METHODS: Estimates of the MSM population living in England and Wales, London and the rest of England and Wales were applied to surveillance data, providing rates of diagnoses of HIV and STIs and age group specific rates for HIV and uncomplicated gonorrhoea. RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2002, rates of diagnoses of HIV and acute STIs in MSM increased substantially. Rates in London were higher than elsewhere. Rises in acute STIs were similar throughout England and Wales, except for uncomplicated gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis, with greater increases outside London. Rates of gonorrhoea diagnoses doubled between 1999 and 2001 (661/100,000, 1271/100,000, p<0.001) in England and Wales followed by a slight decline to 1210/100,000 (p=0.03) in 2002-primarily the result of a decline in diagnoses among men aged 25-34 (1340/100,000, 1128/100,000, p<0.001) and 35-44 (924/100,000, 863/100,000, p=0.03) in London. HIV was the third most common STI diagnosed in MSM in England and Wales and the second in London, with the highest rate (1286/100,000) found among men aged 35-44 in London in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of diagnosis of HIV and other STIs have increased substantially among MSM in England and Wales. Increases show heterogeneity by infection, geography, and age over time. Rates in London were twice those seen elsewhere, with greatest changes over time. The observed changes reflect concomitant increases in high risk behaviour documented in behavioural surveillance survey programmes.     

Sexually transmitted infections among HIV seropositive men and women

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of identified STIs and recognised symptoms of STIs and their association with health status, substance use, and sexual risk behaviour in a sample of HIV seropositive men and women. METHODS: 223 men, 112 women, and five transsexual people living with HIV infection completed confidential surveys. Participants were recruited through community based services, community health clinics, and snowball (chain) recruitment techniques in Atlanta, GA, USA in December 1999. RESULTS: We found that (263) 78% of participants had been sexually active in the previous 3 months. For the entire sample, 42 (12%) participants reported an STI in the past 3 months and 40 (11%) experienced symptoms of an STI without indicating a specific diagnosis in that time. Gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and newly diagnosed herpes simplex virus (HSV) were identified at similar rates among men, whereas trichomonas, gonorrhoea, and newly diagnosed HSV occurred most often in women. STIs were associated with substance use in men and women, with "crack" cocaine users having the greatest likelihood of an STI relative to non-crack users. STIs were also associated with continued practice of sexual risk behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: This sample of people living with HIV-AIDS reported high rates of diagnoses and symptoms of STIs. There were significant associations between STIs, substance use, and continued high risk sexual practices in men and women. These findings support the need for studies that confirm prevalence of STIs using clinical laboratory tests.     

High prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men in Jiangsu Province, China

OBJECTIVE:: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infection, and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Jiangsu Province, China. DESIGN:: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study. METHODS:: From February to July 2003, men who attended 10 participating gay bars in five cities in Jiangsu Province were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire, including measures of alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors. Blood samples and urethral swabs were taken to examine the presence of STDs, including HIV infection. RESULTS:: A total of 144 men were recruited in the study. Forty-six percent of men reported unprotected anal intercourse with their male sexual partners in the past 3 months. No one was found to be HIV-infected, but the prevalence of STDs was high: gonorrhea 2.7%, chlamydial infection 8.0%, nonchlamydial nongonococcal urethritis 27.7%, active syphilis 6.9%, hepatitis B virus infection 9.1%, herpes simplex virus-2 infection 7.8%, and genital warts 13.2%. CONCLUSIONS:: Given that HIV prevalence among MSM in some other parts of China has been as high as 3%, STDs facilitate the transmission of HIV, and high prevalence of STDs and sexual risk behaviors among MSM exist in Jiangsu Province, the potential for the future spread of HIV is of concern, and it is urgent to provide MSMs with STD healthcare services and HIV/AIDS/STD prevention education and intervention.     

江苏省部分城市男男性接触者性传播疾病流行情况调查

【摘要】 目的 探讨江苏省部分城市男男性接触者（MSM）人群性传播疾病（STD）的流行情况。 方法 用横断面调查。选择在江苏省部分城市MSM酒吧活动的人群,填写调查问卷并自愿选择STD检测。对MSM人群性传播疾病病原体相关因素分析用单因素分析和Logistic回归分析。结果 388人接受问卷调查、体检并提供检测标本,仅有同性性行为者占45.6％。尿液及尿拭子实验室检测：淋球菌阳性率1.3％（5/388）,沙眼衣原体9.4％（36/385）,生殖支原体17.2％（66/384）。血清学检查人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）抗体阳性率1.0% （4/388）,梅毒螺旋体明胶凝集试验（TPPA）阳性率18.8％（73/388）,快速血浆反应素试验（RPR）阳性率12.1％（47/388）,2型单纯疱疹病毒（HSV-2）IgG抗体阳性率9.8％（38/388）,乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原（HBsAg）、 丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）抗体、戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）抗体的阳性率分别为9.8％（38/388）、1.0%（4/388）和2.1％（8/388）。尿拭子涂片中性粒细胞计数是沙眼衣原体感染的独立相关因素［调整比值比（AOR）：5.30,95% CI：2.04 ~ 13.77,P < 0.01］。生殖支原体感染与年龄（AOR：2.84,95% CI：1.17 ~ 6.87,P < 0.05）、尿拭子涂片中性粒细胞计数（AOR：2.37,95% CI：1.01 ~ 5.57,P < 0.05）、尿道不适症状（AOR：2.43,95% CI：1.18 ~ 5.02,P < 0.05）的相关性具有统计学意义。梅毒感染（RPR与TPPA检测同时阳性）与年龄（AOR：2.46,95% CI：1.05 ~ 5.75,P < 0.05）、HSV-2抗体（AOR：3.70,95% CI：1.62 ~ 8.44,P < 0.01）有显著相关性。结论 MSM人群中具有较高的STD患病率,沙眼衣原体和生殖支原体是MSM人群尿道炎的主要病原体。 【关键词】 同性恋,男性; 性传播疾病; 性行为     

MSM性工作者的健康与保护

目的:了解男男性行为者(MSM)中男性性工作者(money-boy,MB)群体的健康保护需求.方法:组织4个MB职场老板和15名从业MB与专家共同召开小型需求座谈会.结果:对性病诊疗的重要已经成为共识,性病感染者就诊受到性病规范服务的调节.口交保护措施、多型号安全套和国产润滑剂质量提高是MB的需求,而性顾客对MB是否采取安全性行为有重要影响.结论:MB的健康干预是一个系统工作,需要调动社会力量加强宣传,共同促进健康保护工具的质量提高和品种的多样化,同时要加强性病诊疗规范化服务的培训和督导,建立起服务促进平台,促进性病诊疗工作的质量提高.     

Relationship between syphilis and HIV infections among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China

BACKGROUND: Little is known about risk of HIV and other STDs among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis and evaluate correlation of two infections among MSM in the Chinese capital city. METHODS: A community-based sample of 526 MSM was recruited in 2005 through Internet advertising, community outreach, and peer referring. Interviewer-administered interviews were conducted to collect information on demographics and sexual and other risk behaviors, and blood samples were collected to test for syphilis and HIV infections. RESULTS: Seventeen (3.2%) participants were HIV seropositive and 59 (11.2%) syphilis seropositive. Sixty-four percent of participants were migrants who did not have Beijing residence. Forty percent had >10 lifetime male sex partners and 28.8% reported having ever had sex with women. Consistent condom use with primary male sex partners ranged from 21% to 24%, with nonprimary male sex partners from 35% to 42%, and with female partners around 33%. Illicit drug use was not common; only 2.5% reported using Ecstasy or ketamine in the past 6 months. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that >10 lifetime male sex partners were independently associated with seropositivity of both syphilis (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4) and HIV (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.4-13.6). In addition, HIV infection is significantly associated with syphilis seropositivity (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.3-10.8). CONCLUSIONS: High mobility, multiple sexual partners, and high prevalence of unprotected sex behaviors and syphilis infection suggest a potential rapid spread of HIV in Chinese MSM.     

Factors affecting hepatitis vaccination refusal at a sexually transmitted disease clinic among men who have sex with men

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics should be considered candidates for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. However, vaccination rates in STD clinics remain less than optimal. GOAL: The goal was to identify factors that affect HAV and HBV vaccination refusals. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was administered to MSM eligible for the vaccinations attending an STD clinic. Vaccines were offered at the end of the clinic visit. RESULTS: Rates of refusal of HAV (RefuseA) and HBV (RefuseB) vaccinations were 36% and 38%. Health motivation was associated with acceptance, while clinical barriers such as "want to test first for immunity," and "want to talk to own doctor first" were associated with refusal. "Not enough time this evening" was most strongly predictive of refusal, relative to strongly disagree (risk ratios [RRstrongly agree] and 95% confidence limits for RefuseA and RefuseB were 2.69 [1.43, 5.05] and 2.02 [1.05, 3.87], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: To increase acceptance, patients less health-motivated should be identified for prevaccination counseling. Some perceived barriers such as time may be a partial excuse; staff should identify and address other perceptions that may be influencing patients' decisions.