The aim of this study was to determine the rate of asymptomatic carriage and spread of multidrug-resistant micro-organisms (MDRO) and to identify risk factors for extended spectrum ...beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriage in 12 long term care facilities (LTCFs) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
From November 2014 to august 2015, feces and nasal swabs from residents from LTCFs in Amsterdam, the Netherlands were collected and analyzed for presence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDRGN), including ESBL-E, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess associations between variables and ESBL-carriage.
In total, 385 residents from 12 LTCFs (range 15-48 residents per LTCF) were enrolled. The prevalence of carriage of MDRGN was 18.2% (range among LTCFs 0-47%) and the prevalence of ESBL-E alone was 14.5% (range among LTCFs: 0-34%). Of 63 MDRGN positive residents, 50 (79%) were ESBL-E positive of which 43 (86%) produced CTX-M. Among 44 residents with ESBL-E positive fecal samples of whom data on contact precautions were available at the time of sampling, only 9 (20%) were already known as ESBL-E carriers. The prevalence for carriage of MRSA was 0.8% (range per LTCF: 0-7%) and VRE 0%. One CPE colonized resident was found. All fecal samples tested negative for presence of plasmid mediated resistance for colistin (MCR-1). Typing of isolates by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) showed five MDRGN clusters, of which one was found in multiple LTCFs and four were found in single LTCFs, suggesting transmission within and between LTCFs. In multivariate analysis only the presence of MDRO in the preceding year remained a risk factor for ESBL-E carriage.
The ESBL-carriage rate of residents in LTCFs is nearly two times higher than in the general population but varies considerably among LTCFs in Amsterdam, whereas carriage of MRSA and VRE is low. The majority (80%) of ESBL-E positive residents had not been detected by routine culture of clinical specimens at time of sampling. Current infection control practices in LTCFs in Amsterdam do not prevent transmission. Both improvement of basic hygiene, and funding for laboratory screening, should allow LTCFs in Amsterdam to develop standards of care to prevent transmission of ESBL-E.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
OBJECTIVESChemsex (i.e., drug use during sex) is practiced by some men who have sex with men (MSM) and is associated with high-risk behavior. In a cross-sectional study at the sexually transmitted ...infection (STI) clinic of Amsterdam, we explored chemsex practices, risk behavior, and STI prevalence.
METHODA survey on chemsex (γ-hydroxybutyrate, crystal methamphetamine, and/or mephedrone) was offered to clinic clients during routine STI screening and to Amsterdam users of a gay online dating app. Associations were assed using χ test and multivariable regression.
RESULTSChemsex in the past 6 months was practiced by 866 (17.6%) of 4925 MSM clients and by 159 (1.5%) of 10857 non-MSM clients. Among gay dating app users, the proportion that reported chemsex engagement was higher than among MSM visiting the STI clinic (29.3% 537/1832 vs. 17.6%; P < 0.001). Chemsex was a significant risk factor for bacterial STI in HIV-negative MSM visiting the STI clinic (adjusted odd ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.8), but not in HIV-positive MSM. A majority practiced chemsex once a month or less, and 87.0% reported sex without drug use in the past month.
CONCLUSIONSIn Amsterdam, chemsex is frequently practiced and significantly associated with bacterial STI in HIV-negative MSM but not in HIV-positive MSM. Future prevention strategies to reduce STI incidence should especially target HIV-negative MSM engaging in chemsex.
Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a sexually transmitted bacterium in which macrolide resistance is rapidly increasing, limiting treatment options. We validated a new assay to detect the presence of ...macrolide resistance-associated mutations in MG (MG-MRAM). In 2018, symptomatic and asymptomatic clients visiting sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinics in Amsterdam or The Hague were tested for MG using transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assays. The sensitivity to detect MG of the newly developed MG-MRAM qPCR was compared to the MgPa qPCR, both in relation to the TMA assay. For the sensitivity and specificity to detect relevant mutations the MG-MRAM qPCR was compared to 23SrRNA sequencing analysis. The qPCR was subsequently used to determine the presence of MG-MRAM at different anatomical locations and to identify risk factors for MG-MRAM. MG-positive clients (402) providing 493 MG-positive samples were included. In total 309/493 (62.7%) samples from 291 (72.4%) clients were successfully typed with the MG-MRAM qPCR. The MG-MRAM qPCR had a sensitivity of 98.6% (95%CI 91.1%-99.9%) and specificity of 94.1% (95%CI 78.9%-99.0%) to detect MG-MRAM compared to sequencing analysis. Infection with MG-MRAM was detected in 193/291 (66.3%) clients: in 129/178 (72.5%) men and 64/113 (56.6%) women (p = 0.005). Prevalence of MG-MRAM was significantly higher in men, clients with a higher education, HIV-positive clients and clients with >10 sexual partners in the previous six months, but in multivariable analysis no factor was significantly associated with MG-MRAM presence. Since MG-MRAM prevalence was very high, testing for MG-MRAM is essential if treatment for MG is considered, and can be performed with this sensitive and specific qPCR test in routine diagnostics.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is associated with urethritis in men and could play a role in clinical outcome. We examined clinical improvement of symptoms in men receiving empirical treatment for ...urethritis and correlated the outcome with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), MG, and MG macrolide resistance-associated mutations (MRAM) status.
At the sexually transmitted infection clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, empirical treatment for gonococcal urethritis is 1 g ceftriaxone and for nongonococcal urethritis 1 g azithromycin. In 2018 to 2019, we tested urine samples of men with urethritis for CT, NG, and MG using transcription-mediated amplification assays. Mycoplasma genitalium-positive samples were tested for MRAM using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Two weeks after receiving therapy, men were sent a text message inquiring after clinical improvement.
We evaluated 2505 cases of urethritis. The positivity rates of NG, CT, and MG were 26% (648 of 2489), 29% (726 of 2489), and 23% (522 of 2288), respectively. In 768 of 2288 of the cases (34%), no causative agent was detected. Most cases were infected with a single pathogen: NG, 417 of 2288 (18%); CT, 486 of 2288 (21%); and MG, 320 of 2288 (14%). The prevalence of MRAM among MG-positives was 74% (327 of 439). For 642 (25.6%) cases, we could evaluate clinical improvement after treatment of whom 127 (20%) indicated no improvement; 9% (15 of 174) in NG cases, 18% (35 of 195) in CT cases, 14% (4 of 28) in MG wild-type cases, and 40% (38 of 94) in MG-MRAM cases. Clinical improvement in MG-MRAM cases was significantly lower compared with all other groups (P < 0.001).
Presence of MG-MRAM is associated with lack of clinical improvement in azithromycin-treated nongonococcal urethritis.
OBJECTIVESMale and transgender women sex workers (TSWs) are vulnerable for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and substance use might be a relevant ...contributing factor. We assessed sociodemographic characteristics and substance use among sex workers; divided into 3 groupsTransgender women sex workers, male sex workers who have sex with men only or also with females (MSW-M), male sex workers who have sex with females only (MSW-F).
METHODSA survey on substance use and sexual (risk) behavior was offered during routine STI screening at the Prostitution and Health Centre (P&G292) in Amsterdam. Bacterial STI positivity (chlamydia (including lymphogranuloma venereum), gonorrhea, and/or infectious syphilis), and substance use were compared (χ test, Fisher exact test).
RESULTSFrom 2014 until 2015, 99 (60.4%) of 164 eligible visitors participated (n = 69 MSW-M 69.7%, n = 15 TSW 15.2%, and n = 15 MSW-F 15.2%). Transgender women sex workers reported the highest number of sex partners in the previous 6 months (medianMSW-M 60 vs. TSW 300 vs. MSW-F 12; P < 0.001). The 3 groups did not differ in having condomless anal or oral sex. Bacterial STI positivity was 29.0% in MSW-M, 26.7% in TSW, and 13.3% in MSW-F (P = 0.56). Three new HIV infections were diagnosed, all in MSW-M, whereas 20.3% of MSW-M and 20.0% of TSW were known HIV-positive compared with none of MSW-F (P = 0.14). Illicit substance use during working time in <6 months was 40.5% among MSW-M, 40.0% among TSW, and 20.0% among MSW-F (P = 0.02). The most reported reason for substance use was“sex work becomes physically easier.”
CONCLUSIONSBacterial STI positivity and illicit substances use during work were high in all 3 sex worker groups, emphasizing the importance of combined and targeted interventions. In-depth qualitative research is needed to better understand intentions and reasons for substance use.
The use of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) as a test of cure after treatment is subject to discussion, as the presence of C. trachomatis nucleic acids after treatment may be prolonged and ...intermittent without presence of infectious bacteria. We used cell culture to assess if a positive RNA- or DNA-based NAAT after treatment indicates the presence of viable C. trachomatis.
We included women with asymptomatic urogenital C. trachomatis infection visiting the Amsterdam STI clinic from September 2015 through June 2016. Endocervical swabs were collected prior to treatment with azithromycin, and during three follow-up visits 7, 21 and 49 days after treatment. Collected swabs were subjected to C. trachomatis culture and a RNA- and DNA-based NAAT. High-resolution multilocus sequence typing (hr-MLST) was used to further differentiate potential re-infections.
We included 90 women with a positive RNA-test prior to receiving treatment of whom 81 (90%) were also DNA-positive, and 69 (76.7%) culture-positive. Prolonged and intermittent positive RNA and DNA results over time were observed. Three women had culture positive results at the second visit, but all were negative at the third visit. Five women had NAAT-positive results at the fourth visit of whom three women were also culture-positive indicating a viable infection. All five women reported unprotected sexual contact since the first visit. From 2, hr-MLST sequence types were obtained. One had a different sequence type indicating a new infection the other was identical to the previously found indicating a potentially persisting infection.
Most RNA- or DNA-positive results after treatment of urogenital C. trachomatis may be caused by non-viable molecular remnants since they cannot be confirmed by culture. In a minority viable C. trachomatis was found in culture at the second visit, indicating that patients may remain infectious at least 7 days after treatment.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background. Increasing azithromycin usage and resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae threatens current dual treatment. Because antimicrobial exposure influences resistance, we analyzed the association ...between azithromycin exposure and decreased susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae. Methods. We included N. gonorrhoeae isolates of patients who visited the Amsterdam STI Clinic between 1999 and 2013 (t0), with another clinic visit in the previous 60 days (t−1). Exposure was defined as the prescription of azithromycin at t−1. Using multivariable linear regression, we assessed the association between exposure and azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to produce a phylogeny and identify multilocus sequence types (MLST), N.gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence types (NG-MAST), and molecular markers of azithromycin resistance. Results. We included 323 isolates; 212 were unexposed to azithromycin, 14 were exposed ≤30 days, and 97 were exposed between 31 and 60 days before isolation. Mean azithromycin MIC was 0.28 mg/L (range, <0.016–24 mg/L). Linear regression adjusted for age, ethnicity, infection site, and calendar year showed a significant association between azithromycin exposure ≤30 days and MIC (β, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.44–1.56; P = .002). WGS was performed on 31 isolates: 14 unexposed, 14 exposed to azithromycin ≤30 days before isolation, and 3 t−1 isolates. Exposure to azithromycin was significantly associated with A39T or G45D mtrR mutations (P = .046) but not with MLST or NG-MAST types. Conclusions. The results suggest that frequent azithromycin use in populations at high risk of contracting N. gonorrhoeae induces an increase in MIC and may result in resistance.
The burden of metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol and hypertension, is unequally distributed across ethnic groups. Recent findings ...suggest an association of infectious burden (IB) and metabolic risk factors, but data from ethnic groups are scarce. Therefore, we investigated ethnic differences in IB and its association with metabolic risk factors.
We included 440 Dutch, 320 Turkish and 272 Moroccan participants, 18-70 years, of the 2004 general health survey in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. IB was defined by seropositivity to the sum of 6 infections: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2; Hepatitis A, B and C; and Helicobacter pylori. Associations between IB categories 4-6 (high), 3 (intermediate) and 0-2 (low) infections and metabolic risk factors were assessed by logistic regression. Finally, we determined the contribution of IB to the association between ethnicity and the metabolic risk factors by comparing adjusted logistic regression models with and without IB categories.
A high IB was more frequently observed among the Turkish and Moroccans than among the Dutch. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, educational level, physical activity and body mass index, high IB was associated with type 2 diabetes (odds ratio high vs low IB (OR) =2.14, 95%-confidence interval (CI) 1.05-4.36). The association was weaker and not statistically significant, for elevated cholesterol (OR = 1.39, 95%-CI 0.82-2.34) and hypertension (OR = 1.49, 95%-CI 0.88-2.51). IB attenuated ethnic differences particularly for type 2 diabetes.
Our study showed that Turkish and Moroccan adults in Amsterdam have a higher IB than Dutch adults, which was associated with the differences in type 2 diabetes. Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, we cannot draw a conclusions with regards to the time-sequence of cause and effect. Nevertheless, the findings ask for further research into the nature of association of IB with metabolic risk factors in a longitudinal setting.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for STIs and mental disorders. Syndemic theory holds that psychosocial issues co-occur and interact, and thus increase sexual risk behaviour. ...Psychosocial issue identification, referral and management might reduce risk behaviour.
In the syndemic-based intervention study, an open-label randomised controlled trial, MSM were enrolled at the STI outpatient clinic of the Public Health Service of Amsterdam. We screened participants using validated questionnaires on the following problem domains: alcohol and substance use, sexual compulsivity, anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, alexithymia, intimate partner violence and childhood sexual abuse. Individuals were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either tailored, face-to-face feedback and help-seeking advice on mental health screening, or no feedback and no help-seeking advice. Participants were followed trimonthly for a year. The primary outcomes were self-reported and confirmed help-seeking behaviour.
We included 155 MSM: 76 in the intervention group and 79 in the control group. At inclusion, 128 participants (83.1%) scored positive in at least one problem domain. We found no significant differences in self-reported or confirmed help-seeking behaviour between the intervention and the control group: 41% vs 29% (p=0.14) and 28% vs 22% (p=0.44), respectively. There were also no differences in STI incidence and condomless anal sex acts between the two groups.
Screening showed high prevalence of problems related to mental health and substance use, while tailored feedback, advice and referral did not significantly increase help-seeking behaviour. Other interventions are needed to tackle the high burden of mental disorders among MSM.
NCT02859935.
Genovar distributions of Chlamydia trachomatis based on ompA typing differ between men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals. We investigated clonal relationships using a high resolution ...typing method to characterize C. trachomatis types in these two risk groups.
C. trachomatis positive samples were collected at the STI outpatient clinic in Amsterdam between 2008 and 2010 and genotyped by multilocus sequence typing. Clusters were assigned using minimum spanning trees and these were combined with epidemiological data of the hosts.
We typed 526 C. trachomatis positive samples: 270 from MSM and 256 from heterosexuals. Eight clusters, containing 10-128 samples were identified of which 4 consisted of samples from MSM (90%-100%), with genovars D, G, J, and L2b. The other 4 clusters consisted mainly of samples from heterosexuals (87%-100%) with genovars D, E, F, I, and J. Genetic diversity was much lower in the MSM clusters than in heterosexual clusters. Significant differences in number of sexual partners and HIV-serostatus were observed for MSM-associated clusters.
C. trachomatis transmission patterns among MSM and heterosexuals were largely distinct. We hypothesize that these differences are due to sexual host behavior, but bacterial factors may play a role as well.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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