RESUMO
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the intestinal flora and the impairment of liver and kidney in HIV-infected men who have heterosexual sex with healthy women. MethodsFecal samples from 41 HIV-infected heterosexual men who have sex with women （PMSW） and 43 age- and BMI-matched healthy heterosexual men who have sex with women （NMSW） were collected and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing. The blood levels of AST， ALT， TBIL， UREA， Cr， UA， β2-MG and other liver and kidney function indicators were measured. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the characteristics of the intestinal flora of the patients in these two groups， to compare the differential bacteria strains， and to analyze their correlation with liver and kidney function indicators. ResultsIn comparison with NMSW， the alpha diversity of intestinal flora was decreased in PMSW， and the beta diversity analysis showed significant differences in flora characteristics between the two groups （P<0.05）. The abundance of Clostridium， Phylum thick-walled， Trichosporon， and Clostridium tumefaciens decreased but Fusobacteriota increased （LDA score >4）. The comparison of liver and kidney function indexes revealed that AST， β2-MG levels were higher in PMSW than in NMSW， while TBIL was lower in PMSW than in NMSW. The number of patients with abnormal β2-MG was much higher in PMSW than in NMSW， and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.001）. It was also found that AST was negatively correlated with Clostridium （P<0.05）； TBIL was negatively correlated with Clostridium and positively correlated with Phylum thick-walled and Trichosporon （P<0.05）. β2-MG was negatively correlated with Phylum thick-walled， Clostridium， Trichosporon and Rumenococcus （P<0.05） and positively correlated with Clostridium （P<0.05）. ConclusionIn PMSW group， the alpha diversity of the flora is decreased. AST and β2-MG levels are increased， and TBIL level is decreased. These changes were significantly correlated with different strains of bacteria in the intestinal flora.
RESUMO
Background: Although the risk of sexually transmitted infections is far greater during vaginal and anal sex than during oral sex, increasing practice of oral sex and low rates of barrier method use will probably increase the relative importance of oral sex as a route of transmission for genital pathogens. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes about oral sex and sexually transmitted infections, as well as oral sex practices, both among heterosexuals and homosexual men and to compare those two groups. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from consecutive sexually active male patients who ever had oral sex and who attended counselling for sexually transmitted infections at the City Institute for Skin and Venereal Diseases in Belgrade from March to June 2016. One dermatologist interviewed all participants. Results: The study included 359 men who ever had oral sex, 95 (26.5%) homosexual and 264 (73.5%) heterosexual men. In comparison with heterosexual men, homosexual men had considerably more lifetime sexual partners and oral sex partners during the past 3 months, and significantly more frequently practiced oral-anal sex. Oral-sex related knowledge of all participants was unsatisfactory [correct answers were given by 95 (26.5%) to 277 (77.2%) participants], but it was significantly better in homosexual men than in heterosexual. Frequency of condom use and human immunodeficiency virus testing was also significantly higher in the case of homosexual than heterosexual men. Limitations: The study was not performed in representative sample of population. It was restricted to the patients. Consequently it is questionable whether the results obtained could be generalized. Conclusion: Oral sex related knowledge deficits and risky oral sex practice exist in both homosexual and heterosexual men. These findings indicate a need for effective public health campaign and patient education about the risks of unprotected oral sex.
RESUMO
In Singapore, the number of reported Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases has increased from 2 in 1985 to a cumulative total of 5,521 as of end June 2012. The current trend in HIV/AIDS is that infected individuals are at a late stage of infection and the majority of the diagnosed HIV infections among men are through heterosexual and homosexual routes. Understanding risky behaviours and the attitudes that sustain it helps identify strategies that can be employed during opportunistic counselling to encourage safer sex and regular voluntary testing. Moreover, beyond promoting condom use which can be challenging for healthcare providers, evidence indicates better understanding of the lifestyle preferences an individual adopts which can lead to targeted interventions for at-risk groups. Changing the message of condom use from protection to good sex and safer sex has resulted in greater condom use in some countries such as Cambodia.