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Nanoudis S, Pilalas D, Tziovanaki T, Constanti M, Markakis K, Pagioulas K, Papantoniou E, Kapiki K, Chrysanthidis T, Kollaras P, Metallidis S, Tsachouridou O. Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Syphilis among People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Engaging in High-Risk Sexual Behavior: Real World Data from Northern Greece, 2019-2022. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1256. [PMID: 39065024 PMCID: PMC11278651 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of syphilis among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH) engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, determine the stage of syphilis, and evaluate treatment efficacy. A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted at the AHEPA University General Hospital of Thessaloniki, focusing on PWH at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) attending outpatient care from January 2019 to December 2022. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, incident syphilis rates were identified, associations with HIV-related characteristics were explored, and the treatment response was assessed. Among 991 participants, 94 PWH were diagnosed with syphilis, representing 9.4% of the cohort. Incident syphilis cases experienced a decrease in the early COVID-19 era compared to 2019, followed by a gradual increase leading up to 2022. The majority of syphilis cases were asymptomatic latent syphilis (71.1%). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and younger individuals exhibited higher rates of co-infection during the study period. No significant association was found between incident syphilis and HIV-related factors. Most syphilis cases (86%) were treated with benzathine penicillin G (BPG). Treatment with BPG and doxycycline showed an increased success rate (96.7% vs. 92.9%), with no statistically significant difference observed between them (p = 0.438). This study highlights the alarming incidence of syphilis among PWH engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, particularly among younger MSM. BPG remains effective, and alternative regimens like doxycycline show promise, especially in settings with penicillin shortages or patient allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Olga Tsachouridou
- Infectious Diseases Unit, 1st Internal Medicine Department, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 554 36 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.N.); (D.P.); (T.T.); (M.C.); (K.M.); (K.P.); (E.P.); (K.K.); (T.C.); (S.M.)
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Hojilla JC, Sarovar V, Lam JO, Park IU, Vincent W, Hare CB, Silverberg MJ, Satre DD. Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening in Key Populations of Persons Living with HIV. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:96-105. [PMID: 35916949 PMCID: PMC9851927 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03747-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Annual screening for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI), including gonorrhea/chlamydia (GC/CT) and syphilis, is recommended for persons with HIV (PWH). We used the prevention index to quantify the extent to which STI screening was completed at guideline-recommended frequency in African American and Latinx persons, women, persons with alcohol (AUD) and substance (SUD) use disorders. Data from PWH at Kaiser Permanente Northern California were collected from electronic health records. We defined receipt of GC/CT and syphilis screening consistent with recommendations as a prevention index score ≥ 75%. Among 9655 PWH (17.7% Latinx; 16.2% African American; 9.6% female; 12.4% AUD; 22.1% SUD), prevention index scores for GC/CT and syphilis increased from 2015 to 2019. African American PWH had lower odds of receiving an annual syphilis screen (aOR 0.87 [95% CI 0.79-0.97]). Female sex was associated with lower odds of GC/CT (aOR 0.30 [95% CI 0.27-0.34]) and syphilis (aOR 0.27 [95% CI 0.24-0.310) screening. AUD and SUD were not associated with differences in annual GC/CT or syphilis screening. Key PWH subgroups experience ongoing challenges to annual STI screening despite comparable healthcare access.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Carlo Hojilla
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
| | - Varada Sarovar
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer O Lam
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Ina U Park
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Wilson Vincent
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - C Bradley Hare
- Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Michael J Silverberg
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Derek D Satre
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Bromberg DJ, Mayer KH, Altice FL. Identifying and managing infectious disease syndemics in patients with HIV. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2020; 15:232-242. [PMID: 32487816 PMCID: PMC7376494 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We will present recent articles focusing on HIV synergistic interactions with other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as recent advances in the study of social and behavioral determinants that facilitate this clustering of infectious disease. For each synergistic interaction, we highlight evidence-based interventions that clinicians and policymakers should consider to tackle HIV and infectious disease syndemics. RECENT FINDINGS Significant advances in understanding the behavioral and structural determinants of HIV and other infectious disease synergisms have been made in the past years. Intervention strategies based on these new models have also been developed. It is now well understood that treating infectious disease syndemics will require a multidisciplinary and multipronged approach. SUMMARY HIV is synergistic with multiple other infectious diseases because the risk behaviors that lead to HIV acquisition may be similar to the other infections. The influence of HIV on the other infection may be due to immunosuppression associated with disease progression resulting in increased susceptibility (e.g., HIV and tuberculosis), especially when patients are not virologically suppressed using antiretroviral therapy. In reverse, another infectious disease may, when not treated, influence HIV disease progression. Social/structural determinants like homelessness, mass incarceration, and structural discrimination precipitate psychiatric comorbidity, substance use, and risky sex behavior which lead to the spread and co-occurrence of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Bromberg
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Huang L, Cheng W, Han Z, Liang Y, Wu H, Wang H, Xu H, Tang S. Syphilis infection does not affect immunodeficiency progression in HIV-infected men who have sex with men in China. Int J STD AIDS 2020; 31:488-496. [PMID: 32157947 DOI: 10.1177/0956462419860618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is expected to play a role in HIV-1-related immunodeficiency progression; however, studies involving syphilis/HIV co-infection have not been conclusive. We investigated the factors associated with co-infection of syphilis and HIV and to assess the effect of syphilis on HIV progression in the context of HIV-1 diversity in an observational cohort of 246 newly-diagnosed HIV-infected but antiretroviral therapy-naive men who have sex with men enrolled in Guangzhou, China between 2008 and 2012. CD4+ cell counts of all the participants were measured from the time of diagnosis until 2015 with an average of 32 ± 18 months. Logistic analysis indicated that patients with syphilis/HIV co-infection were more likely to be older with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 2.48 (95% CI: 1.28–4.80) for those aged between 31 and 40 years and 3.20 (1.11–9.22) for those aged ≥40 years as compared to 16–30 year-olds. The AOR of patients infected with HIV-1 CRF07_BC as compared to CRF01_AE was 2.14 (95% CI: 1.01–4.53). Co-infection of syphilis and HIV was associated with lower baseline CD4+ cell count (0.45, 95% CI: 0.22–0.94), but was not associated with HIV disease progression (HR: 1.03; 95% CI, 0.86–1.23) based on Kaplan–Meier analysis. Our results provide new evidence about the interaction between syphilis and HIV and indicate differential rates of immunodeficiency progression as a function of HIV-1 genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Huang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weibin Cheng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China.,Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Han
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanhao Liang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huifang Xu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shixing Tang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Guangzhou, China.,Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Huang X, Liu X, Meyers K, Liu L, Su B, Wang P, Li Z, Li L, Zhang T, Li N, Chen H, Li H, Wu H. Cytokine cascade and networks among MSM HIV seroconverters: implications for early immunotherapy. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36234. [PMID: 27830756 PMCID: PMC5103227 DOI: 10.1038/srep36234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The timing, intensity and duration of the cytokine cascade and reorganized interrelations in cytokine networks are not fully understood during acute HIV-1 infection (AHI). Using sequential plasma samples collected over three years post-infection in a cohort of MSM HIV-1 seroconvertors, we determined the early kinetics of cytokine levels during FiebigI-IV stages using Luminex-based multiplex assays. Cytokines were quantified and relationships between cytokines were assessed by Spearman correlation. Compared with HIV-negative MSM, HIV-infected individuals had significantly increased multiple plasma cytokines, including GM-CSF, IFN-α2, IL-12p70, IP-10 and VEGF, during both acute and chronic stages of infection. Furthermore, rapid disease progressors (RDPs) had earlier and more robust cytokine storms, compared with slow disease progressors (SDPs) (49.6 days vs. 74.9 days, respectively; 6.7-fold vs. 3.7-fold change of cytokines, respectively), suggesting the faster and stronger cytokine storm during AHI could promote disease progression. On the other hand, HIV-1 infection induced more interlocked cytokines network, establishing new strong correlations and imposing a higher rigidity. There were, respectively, 146 (44.9%) statistically significant correlations of cytokines in RDPs and 241 (74.2%) in SDPs (p < 0.001). This study suggests that immunomodulatory interventions aimed at controlling cytokine storm in AHI may be beneficial to slow eventual disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Huang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xinchao Liu
- Infectious Diseases Department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Kathrine Meyers
- The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Lihong Liu
- The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Bin Su
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Zhen Li
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Lan Li
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ning Li
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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Kotsafti O, Paparizos V, Kourkounti S, Chatziioannou A, Nicolaidou E, Kapsimali V, Antoniou C. Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection. Int J STD AIDS 2015; 27:739-45. [PMID: 26113517 DOI: 10.1177/0956462415592326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate if early syphilis infection affects markers of HIV infection; CD4 T cells and viral load (VL). A retrospective study was performed on 160 HIV-positive patients (111 receiving antiretroviral therapy [ART] and 49 without ART). Early syphilis diagnosis was made in HIV patients during their follow-up at the HIV/AIDS Unit at a Greek Dermatology and Venereology Unit. The patients' blood tests were available at the time of diagnosis, as well as before and 12 weeks after early syphilis diagnosis. CD4 T cell counts and VL levels were measured. It was found that syphilis infection had a negative impact on the CD4 T cell counts in both groups, with reduced CD4 T cell counts observed in 84.6% (99/111) and 79.5% (39/49) of patients receiving and not receiving ART, respectively. After treatment for syphilis, CD4 T cell counts returned to pre-treatment levels in most patients, especially those receiving ART. There was a slight and transient VL increase. Patients receiving ART had a 27% increase in VL, compared to 71.4% among patients not receiving ART. Although the VL increase was slight (41-14,000 copies/ml) in the group under treatment, 4-5% (5/111) patients did not return to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, viral mutations associated with treatment resistance were identified in these patients. Early syphilis accelerates and complicates the progression of HIV infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis may prevent infection-associated complications in most instances. Consequently, prevention of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is of great importance for patients infected with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania Kotsafti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilios Paparizos
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Kourkounti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Argiro Chatziioannou
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Electra Nicolaidou
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Violetta Kapsimali
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Antoniou
- HIV/AIDS Unit, 'A. Syngros' Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
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Kleppa E, Klinge KF, Galaphaththi-Arachchige HN, Holmen SD, Lillebø K, Onsrud M, Gundersen SG, Taylor M, Ndhlovu P, Kjetland EF. Schistosoma haematobium infection and CD4+ T-cell levels: a cross-sectional study of young South African women. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119326. [PMID: 25768005 PMCID: PMC4359034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma (S.) haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis and has been hypothesized to adversely impact HIV transmission and progression. On the other hand it has been hypothesized that HIV could influence the manifestations of schistosomiasis. In this cross-sectional study, we explored the association between urogenital S. haematobium infection and CD4 cell counts in 792 female high-school students from randomly selected schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We also investigated the association between low CD4 cell counts in HIV positive women and the number of excreted schistosome eggs in urine. Sixteen percent were HIV positive and 31% had signs of urogenital schistosomiasis (as determined by genital sandy patches and / or abnormal blood vessels on ectocervix / vagina by colposcopy or presence of eggs in urine). After stratifying for HIV status, participants with and without urogenital schistosomiasis had similar CD4 cell counts. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in HIV positive women with low and high CD4 cell counts. There was no significant difference in the number of eggs excreted in urine when comparing HIV positive and HIV negative women. Our findings indicate that urogenital schistosomiasis do not influence the number of circulating CD4 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kleppa
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kari F. Klinge
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Sigve D. Holmen
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristine Lillebø
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mathias Onsrud
- Department of Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svein Gunnar Gundersen
- Research Unit, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Global Development and Planning, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Myra Taylor
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Eyrun F. Kjetland
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Characteristics and risk of syphilis diagnosis among HIV-infected male cohort: a population-based study in Houston, Texas. Sex Transm Dis 2014; 40:957-63. [PMID: 24220358 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This population-based study assessed the characteristics, timing, and risk of syphilis diagnoses among HIV-infected males in Houston, Texas. METHODS A retrospective cohort of males newly diagnosed as having HIV between January 2000 and December 2002 was constructed using HIV surveillance data. These individuals were cross-referenced to sexually transmitted disease surveillance data to ascertain early syphilis diagnoses for the subsequent 10 years. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify risk factors for syphilis diagnosis while controlling for the effects of covariates. RESULTS Approximately 6% of the HIV-infected male cohort received early syphilis diagnoses during a 10-year period. Of these comorbid individuals, 40.8% received an incident syphilis diagnosis 5 years or more after their HIV diagnosis. Men who have sex with men (MSM) transmission risk was associated with significantly increased hazard of having a syphilis diagnosis in multivariable analysis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] of a syphilis diagnosis, 5.24; 95% confidence interval, 3.41-8.05). Compared with men who were older than 40 years at HIV diagnosis, those 13 to 19 years old were 4.06 (2.18-7.55) times more likely to obtain a syphilis diagnosis. The HRs of having an HIV-syphilis comorbidity decreased as age increased. Compared with whites, non-Hispanic African Americans had 1.59 (1.11-2.26) times increased risk of having a subsequent syphilis diagnosis. Risk-stratified HRs showed that MSM had an increased risk of contracting syphilis in all race/ethnicity and age groups. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that HIV-positive African Americans, youth, and MSM had increased risk of having a subsequent syphilis diagnosis. Targeting these groups with STI prevention messaging may be beneficial to reducing comorbidity.
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The Role of Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-1 Progression: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. JOURNAL OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES 2013; 2013:176459. [PMID: 26316953 PMCID: PMC4437436 DOI: 10.1155/2013/176459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Due to shared routes of infection, HIV-infected persons are frequently coinfected with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Studies have demonstrated the bidirectional relationships between HIV and several STIs, including herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), hepatitis B and C viruses, human papilloma virus, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas. HIV-1 may affect the clinical presentation, treatment outcome, and progression of STIs, such as syphilis, HSV-2, and hepatitis B and C viruses. Likewise, the presence of an STI may increase both genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, enhancing the transmissibility of HIV-1, with important public health implications. Regarding the effect of STIs on HIV-1 progression, the most studied interrelationship has been with HIV-1/HSV-2 coinfection, with recent studies showing that antiherpetic medications slow the time to CD4 <200 cells/µL and antiretroviral therapy among coinfected patients. The impact of other chronic STIs (hepatitis B and C) on HIV-1 progression requires further study, but some studies have shown increased mortality rates. Treatable, nonchronic STIs (i.e., syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas) typically have no or transient impacts on plasma HIV RNA levels that resolve with antimicrobial therapy; no long-term effects on outcomes have been shown. Future studies are advocated to continue investigating the complex interplay between HIV-1 and other STIs.
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Zhao YS, Su SI, Lv CX, Zhang XF, Lin L, Sun XG, Lin B, Fu JH. Seroprevalence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B virus and syphilis in HIV-1 infected patients in Shandong, China. Int J STD AIDS 2013; 23:639-43. [PMID: 23033517 DOI: 10.1258/ijsa.2012.011411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis in HIV-1-infected patients and related risk factors in Shandong province, China, we tested all eligible participants between 2000 and 2010 for the presence of anti-HCV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and non-treponemal antibodies for syphilis after informed consent. Among 2087 HIV-infected patients, anti-HCV antibody was present in 41.2%, HBsAg in 12.6% and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) reactivity in 19.6%. In the multivariate logistic regression model, male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.41), minority ethnicity (aOR = 1.72), syphilis infection (aOR = 1.40), former paid blood donors (aOR = 3.36), blood transfusion recipients (aOR = 2.91) and injection drug users (aOR = 1.98) were significantly associated with HCV infection. HCV infection (aOR = 1.40) and being men who have sex with men (aOR = 2.38) were significantly associated with syphilis infection. Co-infection with HCV, HBV and syphilis was observed frequently in all described subgroups of HIV infection. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to screen for these viruses and syphilis in all Chinese HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Zhao
- Shandong Academy of Medicine of Sciences, Jinan, China
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11
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Clinical Spectrum of Oral Secondary Syphilis in HIV-Infected Patients. JOURNAL OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES 2012; 2013:892427. [PMID: 26316966 PMCID: PMC4437426 DOI: 10.1155/2013/892427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background. Oral lesions may constitute the first clinical manifestation in secondary syphilis, but detailed descriptions in HIV-infected individuals are scarce. Objective. To describe the clinical characteristics of oral secondary syphilis in HIV-infected patients and its relevance in the early diagnosis of syphilis. Methods. Twenty HIV/AIDS adult subjects with oral secondary syphilis lesions presenting at two HIV/AIDS referral centers in Mexico City (2003–2011) are described. An oral examination was performed by specialists in oral pathology and medicine; when possible, a punch biopsy was done, and Warthin-Starry stain and immunohistochemistry were completed. Intraoral herpes virus infection and erythematous candidosis were ruled out by cytological analysis. Diagnosis of oral syphilis was confirmed with positive nontreponemal test (VDRL), and, if possible, fluorescent treponemal antibody test. Results. Twenty male patients (median age 31.5, 21–59 years) with oral secondary syphilis lesions were included. Oral lesions were the first clinical sign of syphilis in 16 (80%) cases. Mucous patch was the most common oral manifestation (17, 85.5%), followed by shallow ulcers (2, 10%) and macular lesions (1, 5%). Conclusions. Due to the recent rise in HIV-syphilis coinfection, dental and medical practitioners should consider secondary syphilis in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions, particularly in HIV-infected patients.
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Ho EL, Lukehart SA. Syphilis: using modern approaches to understand an old disease. J Clin Invest 2011; 121:4584-92. [PMID: 22133883 DOI: 10.1172/jci57173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Syphilis is a fascinating and perplexing infection, with protean clinical manifestations and both diagnostic and management ambiguities. Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, the agent of syphilis, is challenging to study in part because it cannot be cultured or genetically manipulated. Here, we review recent progress in the application of modern molecular techniques to understanding the biological basis of this multistage disease and to the development of new tools for diagnosis, for predicting efficacy of treatment with alternative antibiotics, and for studying the transmission of infection through population networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Ho
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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