Sexually transmitted diseases
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effectiveness of syphilis treatment using azithromycin and/or benzathine penicillin in Rakai, Uganda.
The goal of this study was to assess azithromycin and/or benzathine penicillin for treatment of syphilis. ⋯ Azithromycin alone or in combination with penicillin achieved higher cure rates than penicillin alone in cases with a high initial TRUST titer. In low-titer infections, the 3 drug combinations were equally effective. HIV status did not affect cure rates.
-
Although approximately 20% of the population has a genital herpes (HSV-2) infection, 80% of these infections are unrecognized or asymptomatic. Serologic identification of HSV-2 leads to recognition of infection, which could lead to behavioral changes that reduce transmission. However, there has been concern that HSV-2 testing among persons without symptoms will cause substantial psychosocial harm. ⋯ There was no apparent lasting adverse psychosocial impact of detecting HSV-2 infection among individuals without a history of genital herpes seeking herpes testing at an STD clinic.
-
The objective of this study was to compare urogenital swab specimens and first void urine (FVU) specimens from male and female patients at a sexually transmitted disease clinic for the detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis infections using in-house, inhibitor-controlled polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ⋯ Urine appeared to be a better diagnostic specimen than the urethral swab for M. genitalium and C. trachomatis detection by PCR in this cohort of sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees but should be supplemented with a cervical specimen in women.
-
Corrections facilities offer public health practitioners an opportunity to gain access to large numbers of persons at risk for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. ⋯ A substantial proportion of early syphilis cases is identified from corrections facilities. Among counties with the largest number of cases, a higher proportion of syphilis cases was identified from corrections facilities in counties with higher rates of heterosexually transmitted syphilis.
-
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a clinically diagnosed condition that is preventable and underreported. We developed an electronic emergency department (ED) PID reporting system by using an automatic and secure system to send computerized clinician PID diagnoses to the state health department. ⋯ Electronic ED surveillance will improve completeness and timeliness of PID reporting.