Sexual fantasies of heterosexual and homosexual men

Heterosexual men and homosexual men rated how arousing different sexual fantasies were and how often they had used these fantasies over the previous year. Within each group, sensual and genital same-orientation fantasies were more arousing than either public-sex or dominance-submissive fantasies, which in turn were more arousing than aggressive-sex fantasies. For both heterosexual and homosexual men the extent to which a fantasy was arousing correlated with the person's experience of the activity depicted in the fantasy. The frequency of use of a fantasy correlated positively with its arousal level but not always subtantially so. The results are discussed in the context of the mediating role of fantasy in human sexual arousal.     

Prolonged hepatitis A infection in an HIV-1 seropositive patient

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a worldwide disease; in most cases, it causes an acute self-limited illness that does not lead to a chronic state. The course of HAV viremia in a homosexual male with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the correlation between HIV and HAV viral load, alanine aminotranferase (ALT) level, and CD4(+) lymphocyte count were investigated during the course of the infection. HAV RNA was detected quantitatively up to 256 days after clinical onset. To our knowledge, this specific case is the first report of a prolonged infection with hepatitis A in a male with HIV-1. The ALT levels decreased gradually; however, 286 days after clinical onset of hepatitis, ALT levels were three times higher than normal values. HIV viral load was not affected by the infection with HAV and CD4(+) cell count was stable during the course of the co-infection. The duration and the high-titer viremia of hepatitis A virus in an immunodeficient patient constitute a serious risk of the spread of hepatitis A within this population. As inactivated HAV vaccine is safe in HIV-positive subjects, it would be wise to establish a strategy of preventive vaccination in this high-risk group.     

Pseudohomosexual psychosis in basic military training

The emergence of homosexual anxieties in heterosexual males following a severe blow to masculine self-esteem has been termed pseudohomosexual by Ovesey and has been shown to reflect sexual dependency and power conflicts. This article extends the concept, described largely in neurotic patients, to psychotic reactions occurring in basic trainees following failure to adapt to military life. The military setting is viewed as a culturally specific stress for emergence of pseudohomosexual anxieties in predisposed individuals. Case studies illustrate the power and dependency conflicts, sexual symbolization, projective defenses, and restitutional violence which characterize these patients. The pseudohomosexual psychosis defends the patient against perceiving his inability to effect separation from mother, bear the object loss, and attain cultural manhood.The views presented represent those of the author and are not to be interpreted as representing the Department of Defense or the U.S. Air Force.     

Erection induced hallucinations

Eclectic treatment approaches to male erectile disorder (MED) may be neglected. A case report of treating a man with schizophrenia and multi-aetiological MED with intra-cavernous injections of prostaglandin E, is presented. Restoration of erectile capacity precipitated psychological and psychiatric reactions which were considered deleterious to the patient. It is concluded that consideration must be given to both psychological and physical aspects of treatment in MED.     

Shigella spp. with Reduced Azithromycin Susceptibility,Quebec, Canada, 2012–2013

During 2012–2013 in Montreal, Canada, 4 locally acquired Shigella spp. pulse types with the mph(A) gene and reduced susceptibility to azithromycin were identified from 9 men who have sex with men, 7 of whom were HIV infected. Counseling about prevention of enteric sexually transmitted infections might help slow transmission of these organisms.     

Impact of HIV Counseling and Testing on HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men: The South Beach Health Survey

The impact of HIV counseling and testing on sexual risk-taking and related behaviors reported by HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) was examined in a cross-sectional study conducted among a representative sample of residents living in a resort area. Participants provided specimens of oral mucosal transudate for HIV-antibody testing, were interviewed in their homes, and completed a self-administered questionnaire. Specimens were tested by modified ELISA and, if repeatedly positive, confirmed by Western blot. Of 205 men enrolled, 51 (24.9%) tested positive for antibody to HIV. All 51 had been counseled and tested for antibody to HIV-1 (median = 4 tests); 37 (74%) of 50 reported that their most recent test was positive. Twenty (39.2%) said they had engaged in unprotected insertive anal intercourse in the past year; 15 (29.4%) engaged in unprotected insertive anal intercourse with partners who may have been susceptible to HIV infection. Men who reported that their last HIV-antibody test was positive were three times more likely to have engaged in unprotected insertive anal intercourse in the past year (45.9%) as those who did not know they were infected with HIV (15.4%). Counseling and testing is ineffective as a measure for promoting behavior change among HIV-positive MSM in South Beach. More effective social and behavioral interventions must be developed, implemented, and evaluated.     

Comparative study of three doses of interferon-α2a in chronic active hepatitis B

SUMMARY. To determine the efficacy of interferon-α2a in chronic active hepatitis B, 238 patients were randomly divided, into four groups: three groups received either 2.5 MIU m^-2. 5.0 MIUm^-2 or 10.0 MIU m^-2, three times weekly by intramuscular injection for 12–24 weeks: and a control group received no treatment. Patients were followed for up to 12 months after treatment was discontinued. There was a statistically significant difference in response [clearance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV-DNA)] between treated and untreated patients (3 7 vs 13%) but no statistically significant difference was seen between treatment groups (33% 34% and 43% for the 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 MIU m^-2 groups, respectively). A transient rise in transaminases (seroconversion hepatitis) was seen in responders, but levels returned to within the normal range after response to treatment. In patients responding to interferon therapy there was a significant reduction in the severity of the hepatitis. Interferon-α2a was generally well tolerated with respect to vital signs and laboratory parameters.     

Trichosporon beigelii: Increased Occurrence in Homosexual Men: Trichosporon beigelii: Erhöhtes Vorkommen unter homosexuellen Männern

Summary: Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from rectal cultures in 45 of 290 homosexual men (15.5%), compared to four positive cultures in 161 heterosexual men (2.5%). A sexual transmission in homosexual men may explain the statistically significant difference in the frequencies of isolation of Trichosporon beigelii.
Zusammenfassung: Trichosporon beigelii wurde in Kulturen von Rektalabstrichen bei 45 aus 290 homosexuellen Männern isoliert (15.5%), dies im Vergleich zu vier positiven Kulturen von 161 heterosexuellen Männern (2.5%). Eine sexuelle Übertragung unter homosexuellen Männem könnte den statistisch signifikanten Unterschied in der Häufigkeit des Vorkommens von Trichosporon beigelii erklären.