Challenges presented by re-emerging sexually transmitted infections in HIV positive men who have sex with Men: An observational study of lymphogranuloma venereum in the UK

Minttu Rönn*, Gwenda Hughes, Ian Simms, Cathy Ison, Sarah Alexander, Peter J. White, Helen Ward

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: United Kingdom has reported the largest documented outbreak of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), a re-emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is primarily seen in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). A diagnostic service was established in response to the outbreak linked to a voluntary LGV Enhanced Surveillance system. We examined the performance of this novel surveillance system to identify utility in tracking a re-emerging infection.

Methods: We described laboratory data on samples and surveillance data from case reports for LGV from 2004- 2010. We performed a cross-sectional analysis comparing clinical and behavioural characteristics of HIV-positive and HIV-negative/unknown LGV cases diagnosed in MSM using multivariable logistic regression models with generalised estimating equations to control for repeat infections.

Results: LGV Surveillance data were available for 87% (1,370/1,581) of LGV cases (after de-duplication). There were 1,342 episodes in 1,281 MSM, most of whom were known to be HIV-positive (1,028/1,281, 80.2%,). HIV-positive men reported a shorter duration of symptoms (aOR 0.5; 95%CI 0.3, 0.8 for reporting more than a week compared to a week or less) in comparison to HIV-negative/unknown MSM, and were more likely to report unprotected receptive anal intercourse (aOR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3, 5.8).

Conclusion: The surveillance identified the population at greater risk of infection based on higher levels of risk behaviour in HIV-positive LGV cases. However, there was diagnostic bias towards HIV-positive LGV cases who presented with a shorter duration of symptoms when compared to HIV-negative/unknown LGV cases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of AIDS and Clinical Research
Volume5
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Rönn M, et al.

Keywords

  • HIV
  • Lymphogranuloma venereum
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Surveillance

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