International journal of STD & AIDS
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are under investigation, but little is known about attitudes regarding vaccination. The aims of this study were to identify attitudes about and intention to receive an HPV vaccine in young women using a theory-based model. Young women (n=52, mean age 25 years, range 18-30 years, 35% Black/Non-Hispanic) completed a survey assessing knowledge, attitudes about HPV vaccination, and risk behaviours. ⋯ Subjects reported positive attitudes about receiving an HPV vaccine and high intention to receive the vaccine both for themselves and their daughters. Variables associated significantly with intention included knowledge (P=0.004), personal beliefs about vaccination (P=0.004), belief that others would approve of vaccination (P=0.005), and higher number of sexual partners (P=0.028). Information on attitudes about HPV vaccination and predictors of intention to receive a vaccine may guide immunization initiatives for young adults.
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Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates that were resistant to ciprofloxacin and/or penicillin were analysed to investigate the escalating problem of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea in the north east of England. Opa-typing (outer membrane opacity protein) was carried out on isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin and of nutrient nonrequiring (NR) auxotype. ⋯ By Opa-typing of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains, one pair of the isolates was similar, two were unique and one was similar to the Oldham/Rochdale outbreak strain described early in 2000. This marked increase in the prevalence of indigenous ciprofloxacin resistance requires continued surveillance and may soon necessitate an alteration in our first line treatment.
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Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections produce brain damage in the newborn, and human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in cervical carcinogenesis. To assess the frequency of herpes virus and HPV in semen and its role in transmission, semen from 111 male partners of women with histologically-detected genital HPV infection was analysed for HSV, CMV and HPV infection. We used cell culture to detect HSV and CMV, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HPV. ⋯ The study shows a high detection of clinically inapparent HSV and CMV, but does not confirm high HPV prevalence in semen from men without detectable lesions. Our study also suggests that the mechanism for semen contamination by HPV is the exfoliation of infected cells from urethral lesions during semen ejaculation, and probably, by abrasion from penile lesions. This could result in the contamination of semen used in assisted reproductive technology.
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Case Reports
'Skin popping' ulceration in an HIV patient. Successful treatment with antiretroviral drugs and stanozolol.
Skin popping refers to the practice of injecting drugs beneath the skin without concern for vascular access. We describe a male HIV seropositive injecting-drug user with chronic cutaneous ulcerations on the legs at sites of skin popping. Treatment with antiretroviral drugs and stanozolol was associated with a striking clinical improvement of the ulcer in two weeks. The mechanism of action, improvement of immune function by the antiretroviral treatment or activity of stanozolol on collagen and transforming growth factor-beta1 synthesis, remains unknown.
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Editorial Review
A systematic review of strategies for partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
This review compares the effects of various sexually transmitted disease (STD) partner-notification strategies. Using review methods endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration, it updates previous reviews, and addresses some of their methodological limitations. ⋯ The review found moderately strong evidence that: (1) provider referral alone, or the choice between patient and provider referral, when compared with patient referral among patients with HIV or any STD, increases the rate of partners presenting for medical evaluation; (2) contract referral, when compared with patient referral among patients with gonorrhoea, results in more partners presenting for medical evaluation; (3) verbal, nurse-given health education together with patient-centred counselling by lay workers, when compared with standard care among patients with any STD, results in small increases in the rate of partners treated. The review concludes that there is a need for evaluations of interventions combining provider training and patient education, for evaluations conducted in developing countries, and for the measurement of potential harmful effects.