Urethral infection in a workplace population of East African men: evaluation of strategies for screening and management

Epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis in men

Trichomonas vaginalis infections in men are traditionally considered to be benign and consequently have been overlooked. However, men with this common sexually transmitted infection can experience urethritis, prostatitis, reduced fertility, and amplified HIV risk. In addition, men are often asymptomatic and can unknowingly spread the infection to their female sexual partners. With advances in T. vaginalis diagnostics, more men are being diagnosed, yet the optimal method of treatment in men remains unknown. The purpose of this review is to discuss the epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of T. vaginalis among men.

Leucocyte esterase dip-stick test as a point-of-care diagnostic for urogenital chlamydia in male patients: A multi-center evaluation in two STI outpatient clinics in Paramaribo and Amsterdam

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care (POC) tests are an important strategy to address the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The leucocyte esterase test (LET) can be used as a POC test for chlamydia. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the LET to detect urogenital chlamydia among men at STI clinics in Paramaribo, Suriname and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

METHODS

Recruitment of patients took place in 2008-2010 in Suriname and in 2009-2010 in the Netherlands. Urine of patients was examined with the LET. The reference test was a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).

RESULTS

We included 412 patients in Suriname and 645 in the Netherlands. Prevalence of chlamydia in Suriname and the Netherlands was respectively 22.8 and 13.6 %. The sensitivity of the LET was 92.6 % (95 % CI = 85.3-97.0) and 77.3 % (95 % CI = 67.1-85.5) respectively, the specificity was 38.1 % (95 % CI = 32.7-43.6 %) and 58.1 % (95 % CI = 53.9-62.3) respectively. The positive predictive value was 30.6 % (95 % CI = 27.3-36.4) and 22.6 % (95 % CI = 18.0-27.7) respectively and the negative predictive value was 94.5 % (95 % CI = 89.1-97.8) and 94.2 % (95 % CI = 91.1-96.4) respectively. The kappa was respectively 0.179 and 0.176.

CONCLUSIONS

To diagnose urogenital chlamydia in men the LET performs poorly. It has a high negative but low positive predictive value. If the LET result is negative, chlamydia is accurately excluded, yet a positive result has a low predictive value. Whether the advantages of direct management based on LET outweigh the disadvantages of overtreatment is a subject for further studies.

The prevalence and clinical significance of urethritis and cervicitis in asymptomatic people by use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to conduct a screening test for urethritis or cervicitis as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) by using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Trichomonas vaginalis in asymptomatic people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2010 to December 2010, 709 persons who came to the hospital for a general checkup were tested. Multiplex PCR assays were done with first voided urine samples or endocervical swabs by use of the Seeplex® STD6 ACE Detection kit.

RESULTS

The mean age in this study was 45.4±8.1 years. Among the 709 persons, 229 (32.3%) had a positive result for at least one microorganism, 48 (6.8%) had two different species, 6 (0.8%) had three different species, and 1 person had four different species. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic STDs such as urethritis or cervicitis was 7.1% (50/709). The prevalence rates of chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Trichomonas vaginalis infection in asymptomatic persons were 5.6% (40/709), 0.4% (3/709), 0.3% (2/709), 22.1% (157/709), 11.6% (82/709), and 1.1% (8/709), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

With only a single sample, we could identify the prevalence rates of six microorganisms and the overall proportion of urethritis or cervicitis in asymptomatic people. This proportion cannot be neglected; therefore, screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases such as urethritis or ervicitis should be recommended to asymptomatic people.

Etiology and determinants of sexually transmitted infections in Karnataka state, south India

BACKGROUND

Syndromic case management remains the cornerstone for STI (sexually transmitted infection) treatment in many countries. We undertook this study to better understand the etiology of STIs in adults in south India and to inform STI management guidelines.

METHODS

Adult males and females presenting with genital complaints were recruited from clinics in Karnataka state, south India. A questionnaire was administered, physical examination performed, and blood collected for herpes simplex virus-type 2 (HSV-2) and syphilis serology. Men with urethral discharge (UD) and women with vaginal discharge were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Vaginal swabs were also tested for bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection. Participants with genital ulcers were tested for Treponema pallidum (TP), Haemophilus ducreyi (HD), and HSV-2. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing was offered to all individuals.

RESULTS

There were 401 male and 412 female participants, and rates of HIV infection were high (men, 17%; women, 15%). HSV-2 was significantly associated with HIV in men and women. Among men with the complaint of UD, NG was identified in 35%, CT in 10.5%, and TV in 8.5%. Very little NG or CT was detected among women with vaginal discharge. However, bacterial vaginosis was identified in approximately 40% of women, with significant amounts of TV and Candida also detected. HSV-2 was the most commonly identified pathogen among participants with genital ulcer disease, and the clinical distinction of herpetic versus nonherpetic lesions was not helpful.

CONCLUSIONS

Current STI management guidelines should be reevaluated in south India. Consideration should be given to treating all persons with GUD for both HSV-2 and syphilis, and to adding initial treatment for TV for men with UD in areas of high background prevalence of HSV-2 and TV, respectively. This population is at high risk for HIV, and should be counseled and tested appropriately.

Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STI) among male patients with STI in Denpasar and Makassar, Indonesia: are symptoms of urethritis sufficient to guide syndromic treatment?

BACKGROUND

There are few data on sexually transmissible infections in men in Indonesia. We conducted a prevalence study and compared symptoms alone with clinical signs to manage urethritis.

METHODS

We recruited symptomatic male patients at public clinics, and used standardised questionnaires, examinations and laboratory tests.

RESULTS

We recruited 273 men and the prevalences were Neisseria gonorrhoeae 18.2%, Chlamydia trachomatis 10.1%, and positive syphilis serology 5.2%. Four cases of HIV were detected. Urethral symptoms detected 91.7% of N. gonorrhoeae and/or C. trachomatis, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 41.8%, compared with clinical confirmation (sensitivity 86.1%, PPV 37.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most cases of syphilis were asymptomatic, supporting routine screening for syphilis. Urethral symptoms predicted infection with N. gonorrhoeae/C. trachomatis better than clinical signs.

The cost-effectiveness of treating male trichomoniasis to avert HIV transmission in men seeking sexually transmitted disease care in Malawi

OBJECTIVE

Allocation of funds to program areas where they may have an impact is critical to the success of any HIV control program. We examined the cost-effectiveness of providing first-line treatment for male trichomoniasis in Malawi, a condition not commonly considered in syndromic management throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

We used decision tree analysis to assess program costs and outcomes among a 1-year population of male sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees estimated at 10,000 in Lilongwe. Our main outcomes were program costs from the government perspective and HIV infections averted. We conducted univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses on selected parameters.

RESULTS

In our study population of male STD clinic attendees with an HIV prevalence of 44% and a Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence of 20%, including universal metronidazole as a first-line treatment for trichomoniasis at $0.05 per dose would increase program costs by $277 (year 2000 US dollars) and avert 23 cases of HIV. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) over the current STD management guidelines was $15.42 per case of HIV averted. The number of HIV infections averted under sensitivity analysis ranged from 2 to 52, with attendant ICERs varying from cost savings to $162.92. Consideration of wider social benefits, such as the costs of HIV infections to the individual or the government, would further enhance the cost-effectiveness of this program.

CONCLUSIONS

As part of a larger program to control STDs, incorporating metronidazole to treat male trichomoniasis could represent a cost-effective means to reduce HIV transmission in this high-risk group.

The Prevalence of Trichomoniasis in Young Adults in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of trichomoniasis in the general population of the United States is unknown. This study provides the first population-based prevalence estimates of trichomoniasis among young adults in the United States.

METHODS

The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) is an ongoing prospective cohort study. In a cross-sectional analysis of Wave III of Add Health (N = 12,449), we determined the prevalence of trichomoniasis using a polymerase chain reaction assay.

RESULTS

The estimated overall prevalence of trichomoniasis in U.S. young adults was 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-2.7%). The prevalence was slightly higher among women (2.8%; 95% CI, 2.2-3.6%) than men (1.7%; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2%). The prevalence increased with age and varied by region, with the south having the highest prevalence (2.8%; 95% CI, 2.2-3.5%). The prevalence was highest among black women (10.5%; 95% CI, 8.3-13.3%) and lowest among white women (1.1%; 95% CI, 0.8-1.6%). Among men, the prevalence was highest among Native Americans (4.1%; 95% CI, 0.4-29.3%) and blacks (3.3%; 95% CI, 2.2-4.9%), and lowest among white men (1.3%; 95% CI, 0.9-1.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Trichomoniasis is moderately prevalent among the general U.S. population of young adults and disturbingly high among certain racial/ethnic groups.

Performance of urine leukocyte esterase in asymptomatic male youth: another look with nucleic acid amplification testing as the gold standard for Chlamydia detection

PURPOSE

To re-evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of leukocyte esterase (LE) for screening adolescent and young adult males for Chlamydia trachomatis using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) as the gold standard.

METHODS

This study was conducted at two Massachusetts Department of Youth Services sites and one Job Corps site. Recently admitted asymptomatic sexually active male youth aged 14 to 25 years (mean 16.6 years) were recruited between January 2001 and July 2003 (N = 1008). Participants provided first part voided urine specimens for testing with LE and Chlamydia NAAT. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of urine LE for identification of Chlamydia infection were determined using NAAT as the gold standard.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven (5.7%) participants were infected with Chlamydia as defined by a positive NAAT. Defining trace + as the LE cut point resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 57.9% and 78.3%, respectively. Defining 1+ as the cut point resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 47.4% and 96.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Urine leukocyte esterase is a moderately sensitive method to screen for Chlamydia. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of infections are not detected with LE screening. When feasible, urine NAAT provides a much more sensitive and equally noninvasive method of detecting Chlamydia. However, if LE is used as an initial screen followed by NAAT confirmation of LE positive samples, we recommend using trace LE as the cut point for positive results.

Trichomoniasis: clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management

Trichomonas vaginalis was originally considered a commensal organism until the 1950s when the understanding of its role as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) began to evolve. Trichomoniasis has been associated with vaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and adverse birth outcomes. Infection with T vaginalis could have an important role in transmission and acquisition of HIV. T vaginalis is site specific for the genitourinary tract and has been isolated from virtually all genitourinary structures. Asymptomatic disease is common in both men and women, thus screening for disease is important. Various sociodemographic factors have been correlated with presence of T vaginalis, and may be used to predict infection. Diagnosis is usually made from wet mount microscopy and direct visualisation, which are insensitive. DNA amplification techniques perform with good sensitivity, but are not yet approved for diagnostic purposes. In areas where diagnostic methods are limited, management of trichomoniasis is usually as part of a clinical syndrome; vaginal discharge for women and urethral discharge for men. A single dose of metronidazole is effective in the majority of cases. Outside of the United States, other nitroimidazoles may be used and are as effective as metronidazole. Metronidazole resistance is an emerging problem, but its clinical importance is not yet clear. Concomitant treatment of sexual partners is recommended.

Rapid diagnosis of infected ascitic fluid using leukocyte esterase dipstick testing

OBJECTIVES

Ascitic fluid infection is presumptively diagnosed when the fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) concentration equals or exceeds 250 cells/microl. The leukocyte esterase (LE) test has been shown to be a good predictor of the presence of PMNs and bacteria in urine and other body fluids. This study examines the value of the Multistix 10 SG LE Dipstick test for the rapid diagnosis of infected ascitic fluid.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-six ascitic fluid samples were evaluated by PMN count, culture, and LE Dipstick testing. LE dipstick values of "small" or greater were considered positive. For each sample, the LE test result was compared to the corresponding PMN count and culture result.

RESULTS

Ten of the 11 LE-positive samples had PMN >/=250 cells/microl, while 10 of 12 samples with PMN >/=250 cells/microl were also LE-positive. Of the 125 LE-negative samples, 123 were also negative by PMN count. One hundred twenty-three of the 124 samples with PMN <250 cells/microl had negative LE tests. There was a less concordant relationship between the LE test and culture results. The sensitivity and specificity of the LE test for detecting ascitic fluid PMN >/=250 cells/microl were 83% and 99%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 91% and a negative predictive value of 98%.

CONCLUSIONS

The Multistix leukocyte esterase test is useful for the prompt detection of an elevated ascitic fluid PMN count, and represents a convenient new method for the rapid diagnosis of infected ascitic fluid.

Sexually transmitted infections in male clients of female sex workers in Benin: risk factors and reassessment of the leucocyte esterase dipstick for screening of urethral infections

OBJECTIVES

(1) To assess risk factors for urethral infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis among male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) in Benin; (2) to study the validity of LED testing of male urine samples compared to a highly sensitive gold standard (PCR) for the diagnosis of urethral infections with the organisms cited above.

METHODS

Male clients of FSWs (n=404) were recruited on site at prostitution venues in Cotonou, Benin, between 28 May and 18 August 1998. A urine sample was obtained from each participant just before he visited the FSW, and tested immediately using a leucocyte esterase dipstick (LED) test. It was then tested for HIV using the Calypte EIA with western blot confirmation, and for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and T. vaginalis by PCR. After leaving the FSW's room, participants were interviewed about demographics, sexual behaviour, STI history and current symptoms and signs, and were examined for urethral discharge, genital ulcers, and inguinal lymphadenopathies.

RESULTS

STI prevalences were: C. trachomatis, 2.7%; N. gonorrhoeae, 5.4%; either chlamydia or gonorrhoea 7.7%; T. vaginalis 2.7%; HIV, 8.4%. Lack of condom use with FSWs and a history of STI were independently associated with C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae infection. Over 80% of these infections were in asymptomatic subjects. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the LED test for detection of either C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae were 48.4%, 94.9%, 44.1%, and 95.7%, respectively. In symptomatic participants (n=22), all these parameters were 100% while they were 47.4%, 94.7%, 37.5%, and 96.4% in asymptomatic men (n=304).

CONCLUSIONS

Since most STIs are asymptomatic in this population, case finding programmes for gonorrhoea and chlamydia could be useful. The performance characteristics of the LED test in this study suggest that it could be useful to detect asymptomatic infection by either C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae in high risk men.

Value of self-reportable screening criteria to identify asymptomatic individuals in the general population for urogential Chlamydia trachomatis infection screening

Submission of samples from the home allows screening for Chlamydia trachomatis without preceding professional assessment of clinical risk factors. Therefore, a validation of self-reportable information for use as selective screening criteria is needed. We asked a total of 1175 women and 1033 men who participated in an in-home sampling screening study to provide information on behavior and sociodemographic characteristics. In a multivariate model, selective screening criteria were developed on the basis of information from a random part of the tested population (development group), and the validity was assessed for the remaining part of the tested population (validation group). To find all infections, 95% of the subjects had to be screened, and screening 63% of them would have detected 86% of infections. Low predictive values were found when selective screening criteria from other studies were assessed. Selective screening by means of in-home sampling strategies among men and women aged 21-23 years cannot be recommended in the area studied.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Turkey among men With urethritis

BACKGROUND

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are known to cause urethritis. However, only a small number of studies in Eastern European countries have investigated the causes of urethritis.

GOALS

To determine the prevalence of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae among men with symptomatic urethritis in Istanbul, Turkey, and to determine whether contact with a commercial sex worker increased the likelihood of chlamydial infections.

STUDY DESIGN

Men with a diagnosis of urethritis at the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine were screened for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae by Abbott's ligase chain reaction (LCR) using either urethral swabs or first-void urine. N gonorrhoeae cultures were done on a subset of these patients.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 813 men. All of the men denied condom use during their previous sexual exposures. The overall prevalence of C trachomatis, as determined by LCR, was 15.7%. Only 192 patients were screened for both organisms. N gonorrhoeae prevalence was 9.4%. There was no difference in the chlamydia prevalence between men who had contact with commercial sex workers (CSWs) and men who had no such contact (15.3% versus 17.2%). However, clients of foreign CSWs were more likely to have chlamydia than clients of registered Turkish CSWs.

CONCLUSIONS

C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae are commonly found in Turkish men with urethritis. The findings did not show more chlamydial infection among men who had contact with CSWs than among men who had no such contact. The failure to use condoms among these men must be addressed.

High prevalence of trichomoniasis in rural men in Mwanza, Tanzania: results from a population based study

OBJECTIVES

To measure the prevalence of urethral infections including trichomoniasis in rural Tanzanian men, to assess the prevalence of symptoms and signs among men with Trichomonas vaginalis, and to analyse the risk factors for trichomoniasis.

DESIGN

A cross sectional study of 1004 men aged 15-54 years in a rural community in north west Tanzania.

METHODS

Participants were interviewed about sexual behaviour and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases. First fraction urine samples and urethral swabs were collected and used to test for T vaginalis by wet preparation and culture, Neisseria gonorrhoeae by culture, Chlamydia trachomatis by ligase chain reaction and non-specific urethritis by Gram stain. Urine was also tested for the presence of leucocytes using a leucocyte esterase dipstick. Men were re-interviewed 2 weeks later to document new symptoms and signs of urethritis.

RESULTS

Complete laboratory results were available on 980 men. One in four men had laboratory evidence of urethritis. T vaginalis was found in 109 individuals (11%), gonorrhoea in eight (0.8%), and chlamydial infection in 15 (1.5%). Over 50% of men with urethritis were asymptomatic. The prevalence of signs and symptoms was similar among men with T vaginalis alone compared with men with other urethral infections. The sensitivity and specificity of the leucocyte esterase dipstick (LED) test for detecting T vaginalis were 80% and 48% respectively in symptomatic men and 60% and 68% in asymptomatic men. Factors associated with trichomoniasis included religion, type of employment, and marital status.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of urethritis was found in men in this community based study. More than half of the urethral infections detected were asymptomatic. The most prevalent pathogen was T vaginalis. Studies are needed on the prevalence of trichomoniasis in men presenting to health services with complaints suggestive of urethritis since treatment for T vaginalis is not included in the syndromic management of urethritis in most countries. The performance of the LED test as a screening test for trichomoniasis was unsatisfactory in both symptomatic and asymptomatic men. Improved screening tests are urgently needed to identify urethral infections that are asymptomatic and which are not covered by current syndromic management algorithms.

Resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis to metronidazole: report of the first three cases from Finland and optimization of in vitro susceptibility testing under various oxygen concentrations

Trichomonas vaginalis is a globally common sexually transmitted human parasite. Many strains of T. vaginalis from around the world have been described to be resistant to the current drug of choice, metronidazole. However, only a few cases of metronidazole resistance have been reported from Europe. The resistant strains cause prolonged infections which are difficult to treat. T. vaginalis infection also increases the risk for human immunodeficiency virus transmission. We present a practical method for determining the resistance of T. vaginalis to 5-nitroimidazoles. The suggested method was developed by determining the MICs and minimal lethal concentrations (MLCs) of metronidazole and ornidazole for T. vaginalis under various aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Using this assay we have found the first three metronidazole-resistant strains from Finland, although the origin of at least one of the strains seems to be Russia. Analysis of the patient-derived and previously characterized isolates showed that metronidazole-resistant strains were also resistant to ornidazole, and MLCs for all strains tested correlated well with the MICs. The suggested MICs of metronidazole for differentiation of sensitive and resistant isolates are >75 microg/ml in an aerobic 24-h assay and >15 microg/ml in an anaerobic 48-h assay.

Improved diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection by PCR using vaginal swabs and urine specimens compared to diagnosis by wet mount microscopy, culture, and fluorescent staining

Four vaginal cotton swab specimens were obtained from each of 804 women visiting the outpatient sexually transmitted disease clinic of the Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, for validation of various forms of Trichomonas vaginalis diagnostic procedures. One swab specimen was immediately examined by wet mount microscopy, a second swab was placed in Kupferberg's Trichosel medium for cultivation, and two swabs were placed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2. The resulting PBS suspension was used for direct staining with acridine orange and fluorescence microscopy, inoculation of modified Diamond's culture medium, and a PCR specific for T. vaginalis. A total of 70 samples positive in one or more of the tests were identified: 31 (3.8%) infections were detected by wet mount microscopy, and 36 (4.4%) were identified by acridine orange staining, as opposed to 40 (4.9%) and 46 (5.7%) positives in modified Diamond's and Trichosel media, respectively. PCR was positive for 61 (7.5%) samples. Secondly, from each of 200 women were obtained a urine sample and a vaginal cotton swab specimen, and 200 urine samples were obtained from men. For the women, 15 (7.4%) of the samples showed a positive result for either the wet mount (n = 1), Trichosel culture (n = 6), PCR on the vaginal swab sample (n = 10), or PCR on the urine specimen (n = 11). Four men (2%) were diagnosed with a T. vaginalis infection. Thus, PCR appears to be the method of choice for the detection of genital infections with T. vaginalis.

Sexual behaviors and other HIV risk factors in circumcised and uncircumcised men in Uganda

OBJECTIVE

To study the differences in sexual practices, hygienic behaviors, and other HIV risk factors between circumcised and uncircumcised men.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of men >17 years of age selected by single stage cluster sampling in the Industrial Borough, Mbale, Uganda.

METHODS

Using a structured questionnaire, 188 circumcised and 177 uncircumcised consenting Ugandan men were interviewed in one of four native languages during April and May, 1997.

RESULTS

Among non-Muslims, circumcised men had a higher risk profile than uncircumcised men in that they were more likely to drink alcohol in conjunction with sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.86: 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-3.16), to have sexual contacts with women on the first day of meeting (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.39-4.04), to have had sexual contacts in exchange for money or gifts (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.21-3.09), to have experienced episodes of pain on urination or to have experienced penile discharge (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.07-2.64), had an earlier age at sexual debut (15.7 versus 16.9 years), and had more extramarital sex partners in the last year (1.13 versus 0.62). Circumcised men also reported a preference for nonwet sex. Muslims generally had a lower risk profile than other circumcised men except they were less likely to have ever used a condom (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.78) or to have used a condom during the last sex encounter (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.14-0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that differences between circumcised and uncircumcised men in their sex practices and hygienic behaviors do not account for the higher risk of HIV infection found among uncircumcised men. Further consideration should be given to male circumcision as a prevention strategy in areas of high prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Studies of the feasibility and acceptability of male circumcision in traditionally noncircumcising societies are warranted.

Trichomonas vaginalis as a cause of urethritis in Malawian men

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. In Malawi, rates of trichomoniasis in women are high. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection in men is expected to be high but has not previously been documented.

GOALS

We sought to determine the prevalence of trichomoniasis in Malawian men with and without urethritis, to evaluate a polymerase chain reaction detection assay for T. vaginalis in urethral swabs and to examine the effect of T. vaginalis infection on excretion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in semen.

STUDY DESIGN

Men presenting at the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Dermatology Clinics in Malawi were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. We compared a polymerase chain reaction-based test for T. vaginalis detection with wet-mount microscopy and culture of urethral swabs. HIV serology was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and HIV-1 RNA concentrations in semen were measured by quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based analysis.

RESULTS

T. vaginalis was detected in 51 of 293 men. The estimated prevalence among symptomatic men was 20.8% and among asymptomatic men, 12.2%. Polymerase chain reaction performed with a sensitivity of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66-0.92) and specificity of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.97) compared to wet-mount microscopy and culture. There was no difference in the rate of HIV seropositivity in men with and without T. vaginalis infection. However, in men with symptomatic urethritis, the median HIV RNA concentration in seminal plasma from men with T. vaginalis was significantly higher that in seminal plasma from HIV-positive men without trichomonas.

Decreased incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among trucking company workers in Kenya: results of a behavioural risk-reduction programme

OBJECTIVE

To establish a cohort of high-risk individuals suitable for HIV-prevention trials, and to measure changes in sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted disease (STD) incidence after a behavioural intervention.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study in trucking company depots in Mombasa, Kenya.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 556 male HIV-seronegative employees of trucking companies.

INTERVENTIONS

HIV serological testing, individual counselling, condom promotion, STD diagnosis and management.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sexual risk behaviour and symptomatic STD incidence.

RESULTS

Using time-trend modelling, significant declines in self-reported high-risk sexual behaviour were demonstrated during a 1-year follow-up. The percentage of men reporting any extramarital sex during the 3-month period prior to a follow-up visit decreased from 49% durig the first quarter of follow-up to 36% during the last quarter (P < 0.001). The decline in reported female sex worker contact was from 12% to 6% (P = 0.001). Approximately 30% of men reported consistent condom use during extramarital sex and this percentage remained unchanged during the study period. The incidence of STD declined from 34 per 100 person years (PY) during the first quarter to 10 per 100 PY during the last quarter (P = 0.001). Significant reductions in gonorrhoea (15 to five cases per 100 PY, P = 0.04), non-gonococcal urethritis (10 to two cases per 100 PY, P = 0.05), and genital ulcer disease (nine to two cases per 100 PY, P = 0.02) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Among truck company workers who participated in a cohort study in Mombasa, Kenya, there was a significant decrease in sex with high-risk partners, but no change in condom use. The change in heterosexual risk behaviour was accompanied by a significant decrease in incidence of gonorrhoea, non-gonococcal urethritis, and genital ulcer disease.