Serological response to syphilis treatment in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients attending sexually transmitted diseases clinics.

BACKGROUND: HIV-positive patients treated for syphilis may be at increased risk for serological failure. OBJECTIVE: To compare follow-up serologies and serological responses to treatment between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients attending two sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. STUDY DESIGN: Existing records were reviewed from HIV-positive patients who were diagnosed and treated for syphilis at the public STD clinics in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, between 1992 and 2000. Results of their serological follow-up were compared with those of HIV-negative clinic patients at the time of syphilis treatment. Failure was defined as lack of a fourfold drop in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre by 400 days after treatment or a fourfold increased titre between 30 and 400 days. RESULTS: Of the 450 HIV-positive patients with syphilis, 288 (64%) did not have documented follow-up serologies and 129 (28.5%) met the inclusion criteria; 168 (17%) of 1000 known HIV-negative patients were similarly eligible. There were 22 failures in the HIV-positive group and 5 in the HIV-negative group (p<0.001). The median times to successful serological responses in both groups were 278 (95% confidence interval (CI) 209 to 350) and 126 (95% CI 108 to 157) days, respectively (p<0.001). A multivariate Cox's proportional hazards model showed an increased risk of serological failure among the HIV-positive patients (hazards ratio 6.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 23.9; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: HIV-positive patients treated for syphilis may be at higher risk of serological failure. Despite recommendations for more frequent serological follow-up, most patients did not have documentation of serological response after standard treatment for syphilis.

Evidence of heterosexual bridging among syphilis-positive men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether heterosexual bridging among syphilis-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) contributes to increased infection rates among adolescent women in Baltimore City, Maryland. METHODS: Interview data for patients with primary, secondary and early-latent syphilis from January 2001 to July 2005 were linked with their corresponding field records for named exposed contacts to assess prevalence of male bisexual activity and risk profiles of potential male bisexual bridgers and their female sex partners. RESULTS: None of the women with syphilis reported having known heterosexual relationships with a bisexual man. However, 3.9% and 11.0% of the male sex partners of adolescent females and women aged >25 years with syphilis, respectively, self-reported as MSM or named male sex partners. Likewise, 10.3% of syphilis-positive MSM named female sex partners and 3.0% of syphilis-positive men who did not self-identify as MSM named both male and female sex partners. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual network links exist between syphilis-positive MSM and heterosexual women, but the extent of bisexual behaviour among men is not detectable by self-identification and disclosure to female sex partners.

High rates of syphilis among STI patients are contributing to the spread of HIV-1 in India.

BACKGROUND: Recent syphilis outbreaks have raised concern regarding the potential enhancement of HIV transmission. The incidence of syphilis and its association with HIV-1 infection rates among a cohort of sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic attendees was investigated. METHODS: 2732 HIV-1 seronegative patients attending three STI and one gynaecology clinic, were enrolled from 1993-2000 in an ongoing prospective cohort study of acute HIV-1 infection in Pune, India. At screening and quarterly follow up visits, participants underwent HIV-1 risk reduction counselling, risk behaviour assessment and HIV/STI screening that included testing for serological evidence of syphilis by RPR with TPHA confirmation. Patients with genital ulcers were screened with dark field microscopy. RESULTS: Among 2324 participants who were HIV-1 and RPR seronegative at baseline, 172 participants were found to have clinical or laboratory evidence of syphilis during follow up (5.4 per 100 person years, 95% CI 4.8 to 6.5 per 100 person years). Independent predictors of syphilis acquisition based on a Cox proportional hazards model included age less than 20 years, lack of formal education, earlier calendar year of follow up, and recent HIV-1 infection. Based on a median follow up time of 11 months, the incidence of HIV-1 was 5.8 per 100 person years (95% CI 5.0 to 6.6 per 100 person years). Using a Cox proportional hazards model to adjust for known HIV risk factors, the adjusted hazard ratio of HIV-1 infection associated with incident syphilis was 4.44 (95% CI 2.96 to 6.65; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence rate of syphilis was observed among STI clinic attendees. The elevated risk of HIV-1 infection that was observed among participants with incident syphilis supports the hypothesis that syphilis enhances the sexual transmission of HIV-1 and highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis.

Trichomonas vaginalis: evaluating capsid proteins of dsRNA viruses and the dsRNA virus within patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Some isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis, the number one, non-viral sexually transmitted disease agent, are infected with one or several distinct double stranded (ds)-RNA virus. Immune rabbit anti-capsid serum (IRS) reacted with the capsid protein of purified dsRNA virus of a subset of the virus-infected T. vaginalis isolates. A monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognized the capsid protein reactive with the IRS was generated. Analysis of the virus capsid protein of virus-infected isolates by probing nitrocellulose blots with mAb revealed diversity among immunoreactivity and in the size of the reactive capsid protein. Despite difficulties in visualizing virus within parasites by cross-section electron microscopy, gold-conjugated mAb readily labeled the cytoplasm of virus-positive trichomonads. Finally and importantly, isolates infecting patients attending an STD clinic, 75% of which were virus-positive isolates, had capsid protein of the same size detected by mAb present in all dsRNA viruses.

Gonorrhoea reinfection in heterosexual STD clinic attendees: longitudinal analysis of risks for first reinfection.

OBJECTIVES: Gonorrhoea is associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes, including pelvic inflammatory disease and increased HIV transmission. Our objective was to determine the association of demographic factors, sexual risk behaviours, and drug use with incident gonorrhoea reinfection among public STD clinic clients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study conducted from January 1994 through October 1998, of heterosexual public STD clinic attendees age >/=12 years having at least one gonorrhoea infection in Baltimore, MD. The outcome was first incident gonorrhoea reinfection over a maximum 4.8 years, compared in STD clinic clients with or without sexual risk behaviours and drug use at initial gonorrhoea infection. RESULTS: 910 reinfections occurred among 8327 individuals and 21 246 person years of observation, for an overall incidence of 4.28 reinfections per 100 person years (95% CI 4.03 to 4.53). Median time to reinfection was 1.00 year (95% CI 0.91 to 1.07 years). In multivariate Cox regression, increased reinfection risk was associated with male sex, younger age, greater number of recent sex partners, and having a sex partner who is a commercial sex worker. Injection drug use and coming to the clinic as an STD contact were protective. Among risk factors that differed significantly between men and women, injection drug use was protective of reinfection in men, and "any" condom use was a risk factor for reinfection in women CONCLUSIONS: Reinfection represents a significant proportion of STD clinic visits for gonorrhoea. Prevention counselling and routine screening for patients at high risk for reinfection should be considered to maximally reduce transmission and resource utilisation.

Use of urine polymerase chain reaction to define the prevalence and clinical presentation of Trichomonas vaginalis in men attending an STD clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical features of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection in men. METHODS: Men attending a public STD clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, were evaluated between March and July 2000. Clinicians recorded a standardised history and clinical examination. Urethral swab specimens were collected for Gram stain and Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture. First fraction urine samples were evaluated with TV culture and chlamydia and TV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). True positive TV was defined as a positive TV culture or a positive TV PCR confirmed with a second primer set. RESULTS: 355 men were evaluated in 363 visits. The prevalence of gonorrhoea, TV, and chlamydia were 19%, 13%, and 11%, respectively. In men over 28 years, the prevalence of TV was significantly higher than chlamydia. Age and urethritis by Gram stain were associated with a positive result on TV culture (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively) but not associated with TV infection as defined by a positive TV culture or a confirmed TV PCR. Discharge or dysuria was reported in 47% and 22% of men with TV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TV prevalence in an urban STD clinic setting was high. Older age and urethritis were not significantly associated with TV infection as defined by a positive TV culture or a confirmed TV PCR.

Influence of injection drug use behavior on reported antiretroviral therapy use among women in the HIV Epidemiology Research study: on-site versus referral care.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected injection drug users consistently report poor antiretroviral therapy use and little contact with health care providers. It has been suggested that the clinical setting where patients are seen affects the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether ease of access to medical care affects self-report of taking antiretroviral therapy, particularly among female injection drug users. DESIGN: The study is a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective cohort study of HIV-infected women. SETTING: Women were enrolled at four sites in the United States: Detroit, Michigan, and Providence, Rhode Island, where on-site HIV care and treatment were offered, and Baltimore, Maryland, and the Bronx, New York, where all participants were referred elsewhere for HIV care and treatment. PATIENTS: Patients were HIV-infected women with no AIDS diagnosis or women who were at risk for HIV infection either through self-reported injection drug use since 1985 or through sexual contact. MEASUREMENTS: The study measured self-reported use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) alone or combined with Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) prophylaxis in the previous 6 months. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis including type of study site (on-site compared with referral care) and injection drug use, any self-reported ART use associated with low CD4 cell count category, older age, and race. However, at on-site care centers, women were equally likely to report ART use regardless of current, former, or no injection drug use, whereas at referral sites only women identified as sexual contacts were more likely to report any ART use, independent of all other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Easy access to medical care has an important impact on HIV-infected women receiving ART, particularly those who are active injection drug users.

Antiretroviral regimen complexity, self-reported adherence, and HIV patients' understanding of their regimens: survey of women in the her study.

BACKGROUND: Research regarding treatment adherence in chronic diseases, such as hypertension, suggests that increasing complexity in the medication regimen is associated with decreasing patient adherence. However, less is known about the relationship between regimen complexity and adherence in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between antiretroviral (ART) regimen complexity and patient understanding of correct regimen dosing to adherence (missing doses in the past 1 and 3 days). METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of a cohort of women living with HIV/AIDS and enrolled in the HER (HIV Epidemiologic Research) Study. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of patients correctly understood the dosing frequency of their ART medications, 80% understood the food-dosing restrictions, whereas only 63% understood both. The percentage of patients with a correct understanding of dosing decreased with increasing regimen complexity (increased dosing frequency and food-dosing restrictions). Patients were more likely to have missed doses in the previous 3 days if they were taking ART medications three or more times per day or had to take one or more antiretrovirals on an empty stomach. A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that patients with less complex regimens (twice daily or less in frequency, no food-dosing restrictions) who correctly understood the dosing and food restrictions of their ART regimen were less likely to have skipped doses in the past three days (odds ratio [OR], 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2-0.7) than those with more complex regimens. Younger age and higher CD4 count were also associated with a reduced likelihood of skipping doses. No association was found between adherence and race/ethnicity, current or past injection drug use, or education. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported adherence is better among patients with less complex ART regimens. This is in part because patients' understanding of regimen dosing decreases as regimen complexity increases. Therefore, simplifying antiretroviral regimens may have an important role in improving patients' adherence.

Evaluation of use of a single intravaginal swab to detect multiple sexually transmitted infections in active-duty military women.

The accuracy and suitability of use of a single intravaginal swab (SIS) for polymerase chain reaction detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and human papillomavirus infection was assessed in a cross-sectional study of 841 active-duty military women. The SIS, compared with standard diagnostic tests, allowed detection of more gonorrhea, more chlamydial infection, and more trichomoniasis. Sensitivity and specificity of SIS detection compared with adjudicated true-positive diagnoses were 95.8% and 97.8%, respectively, for gonorrhea, 94.6% and 99.3% for chlamydial infection, and 92.2% and 98.2% for trichomonal infection. Results with SISs were comparable to those with cervical swabs tested for human papillomavirus. Assay of clinician-collected and self-collected SISs yielded prevalences similar to those of standard diagnostic tests for all sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, the use of SISs is acceptable for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple sexually transmitted infections and has potential for use as a self-administered diagnostic tool with widespread applicability among women.

Modification of syphilitic genital ulcer manifestations by coexistent HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist regarding whether HIV infection leads to changes in the clinical manifestations and severity of genital ulcer disease (GUD). GOAL: To determine the impact of HIV on the etiology and clinical severity of GUD. STUDY DESIGN: From July 1990 to July 1992, consecutive patients presenting to the two Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinics were approached as candidates for enrollment in a prospective study to determine factors associated with the transmission and acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). RESULTS: Of the 1368 patients who presented to the BCHD, 214 (16%) had genital ulcerations: 160 (21%) of 757 men and 54 (9%) of 611 women. Among the patients with GUD who had undergone HIV testing, 28 (14%) of 204 were infected with HIV: 25 (17%) of 151 men and 3 (6%) of 53 women. Although both groups-those infected with HIV and those not infected with HIV--presented with GUD of similar duration (10 versus 11 days; P = 0.17), multiple lesions were found more frequently in men with HIV infection than in uninfected men: 87% versus 62% (P = 0.02). Although not statistically significant, GUD in men with HIV infection more often were deep (64% versus 44%, respectively) rather than superficial (36% versus 57%, respectively; P = 0.08), and larger (505 mm(2) versus 109 mm 2; P = 0.06). Primary syphilis caused more GUD among men with HIV infection than among uninfected men: 9 (36%) of 25 versus 24 (19%) of 126, respectively (P < 0.01). Secondary syphilis was diagnosed with concomitant GUD more frequently among men with HIV infection than among uninfected men: 3 (13%) of 25 versus 3 (2%) of 123, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients who presented with GUD were more likely to be infected with HIV. A higher proportion of men with HIV infection had multiple lesions, and the lesions were more likely to be caused by syphilis.

Clinical manifestations of early syphilis by HIV status and gender: results of the syphilis and HIV study.

BACKGROUND: Despite reports of unusual clinical presentations and therapeutic responses among HIV-infected patients with syphilis, syphilis has not been regarded as a serious opportunistic infection that predictably progresses among most HIV-coinfected patients. GOAL: To define and describe differences in the presentation and response to treatment of early syphilis among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients, to describe any differences by gender, and to determine if clinical presentation of central nervous system involvement predicted serologic failure. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of enhanced versus standard therapy to compare the benefit of enhanced therapy, the clinical importance of central nervous system involvement, and the clinical manifestations of early syphilis infection among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients. RESULTS: The median number of ulcers was significantly greater among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients, as was the percent of HIV-infected patients with multiple ulcers. Among patients diagnosed with secondary syphilis, a higher percentage of HIV-infected patients presented with genital ulcers [13/53 (25%)] than did HIV-uninfected patients [27/200 (14%)]. No differences between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients were detected for other secondary syphilis manifestations. Although women presented more frequently with secondary syphilis than did men, no other gender differences in clinical manifestations were noted. Neurologic complaints were reported most frequently among patients with secondary syphilis [103/248 patients (42%)] compared with patients with primary syphilis [32/136 (24%)] and early latent syphilis [48/ 142, (34%)] (P < 0.05), but no differences in neurologic complaints were apparent by HIV status or CSF abnormalities. No neurologic complaints were significantly associated with serologic treatment failures at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, HIV infection had a small effect on the clinical manifestations of primary and secondary syphilis. Compared with HIV-uninfected patients, HIV-infected patients with primary syphilis tended to present more frequently with multiple ulcers, and HIV-infected patients with secondary syphilis presented with concomitant genitals ulcers more frequently.

Can syphilis be eradicated from the world?

With the description of the complete genome sequence of Treponema pallidum, the declining rates of primary and secondary syphilis in many developed countries, and the continuing development of easier, cheaper, and more reliable diagnostics, the goal of worldwide syphilis eradication may be achievable. Although syphilis is easy to detect and cure given adequate access to and utilization of healthcare, many barriers exist on the way to its elimination and ultimate eradication. This review discusses current opinions regarding the plans, prospects and obstacles to worldwide syphilis eradication.

Comparison of clinical manifestations of HIV infection among women by risk group, CD4+ cell count, and HIV-1 plasma viral load. HER Study Group. HIV Epidemiology Research.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of HIV-related symptoms, physical examination findings, and hematologic variables among women whose risk for HIV is injection drug use since 1985 as opposed to sexual contact and to evaluate the influence of HIV plasma viral load and CD4+ cell count on clinical manifestations according to risk. METHODS: Participants of the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS; a multicenter, prospective, controlled study of HIV infection in women) were administered a risk behavior and symptom interview, underwent a physical examination, and received hematologic testing, including CD4+ cell counts done on study entry. Plasma HIV-1 viral loads were performed on stored frozen plasma using an ultrasensitive branched-DNA (b-DNA) signal amplification assay. CD4+ counts were categorized as <200 cells/microl, 200 to 499 cells/microl, or > or =500 cells/microl, and HIV viral loads were characterized in tertiles. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted on data available for 724 HIV-infected women: 387 had a history of intravenous drug use and 337 were infected through heterosexual contact. The median CD4+ count was 376 cells/microl; the median HIV-1 viral load was 1135 copies/ml; and 281 of 724 HIV-infected women (38.8%) had an undetectable HIV-1 viral load. In analyses adjusting for CD4+ cell level alone and for plasma viral load combined with CD4+ cell level, injection drug users (IDUs) were more likely than those infected through heterosexual contact to report a recent episode of memory loss and weight loss, but less likely to have recent episodes of genital herpes; to have enlarged livers and a body mass index (BMI) <24, and to have hematocrit levels <34% and platelet counts <150,000 cells/ml. After adjustment for CD4+ cell level and risk group, high and medium HIV-1 plasma viral load levels were associated with the presence of oral hairy leukoplakia on examination, and only the highest level of plasma viral load was associated with recent histories of fever and thrush, oral hairy leukoplakia, pseudomembranous candidiasis, and BMI <24 on examination, and hematocrit <34%. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of women, the distribution of HIV-1 plasma viral load was lower than that previously reported in populations of HIV-infected men. This study also shows some differences in frequency of signs, symptoms, and laboratory values between risk groups of HIV-infected women, but these results may be due to effects of injection drug use rather than HIV infection. Signs and symptoms identified as associated with increasing levels of viral load that were not different across risk groups suggest more direct association of these findings with HIV infection.

Diagnosis and treatment of sexually acquired proctitis and proctocolitis: an update.

Sexually transmitted gastrointestinal syndromes include proctitis, proctocolitis, and enteritis. These syndromes can be caused by one or multiple pathogens. Routes of sexual transmission and acquisition include unprotected anal intercourse and oral-fecal contact. Evaluation should include appropriate diagnostic procedures such as anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, stool examination, and culture. When laboratory diagnostic capabilities are sufficient, treatment should be based on specific diagnosis. Empirical therapy for acute proctitis in persons who have recently practiced receptive anal intercourse should be chosen to treat Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections. In individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other infections that are not usually sexually acquired may occur, and recurrent herpes simplex virus infections are common. The approach to gastrointestinal syndromes among HIV-infected patients, therefore, can be more comprehensive and will not be discussed in this article.

Syphilis serology in human immunodeficiency virus infection: evidence for false-negative fluorescent treponemal testing.

Injection drug users were assessed serologically for human immunodeficiency virus infection and syphilis every 6 months. Treatment histories were reviewed for any high-titer biologic false-positive (BFP) reactors, that is, persons with rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers > or = 1:4 and negative results for fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) tests. Selected sera were analyzed further by immunoblotting for the presence of antibodies reactive with specific Treponema pallidum antigens. Of 112 BFP reactors, 35 (31%) had at least one RPR test reactive at a dilution >1:8 while the FTA-ABS test remained nonreactive. Five reactors (4.5%) converted from nonreactive to reactive by FTA-ABS test; 4 (3.6%) were reactive by FTA-ABS tests but later became nonreactive. Antibodies to T. pallidum membrane antigens were detected in some samples that were persistently nonreactive by FTA-ABS test. Serologic patterns over time, along with very high-titer BFP reactions and reactivity with T. pallidum-specific antigens, suggest that some BFP reactions may represent FTA-negative syphilis.

Reasons for not using condoms of clients at urban sexually transmitted diseases clinics.

BACKGROUND AND GOAL: Greater understanding of the factors related to inconsistent condom use is essential in the development of strategies to promote condom use among clients who access public, inner-city sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics. Therefore, this study aimed to explore reasons for not using condoms among 260 predominantly African American heterosexual male and female clients presenting for care at two inner-city STD clinics. STUDY DESIGN: Clients selected for this descriptive analysis reported having had at least one unprotected episode of sexual intercourse in the last 10 episodes. In face-to-face interviews, clients provided information about sexual activity, sexual partners, and condom use in the previous 30 days. In addition, they were asked to indicate the main reason for not using condoms when having unprotected sex. RESULTS: Content analysis showed six major categories of reasons for not using condoms: reasons related to partner relationships, reasons related to sexual sensation, reasons related to situational constraint, reasons related to condoms themselves, reasons related to pregnancy, and reasons related to types of sexual activity. Most frequent explanations given for not using condoms included partner trust (19.6%), the feel of condoms (11.9%), and lack of condom availability (11.5%). Clients also reported barriers to condom use that included beliefs about condom sensation and partner relationships. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the continued barriers that exist with respect to condom use in at-risk populations and emphasize the need to tailor meaningful interventions in order to promote condom use among persons who, for differing reasons, choose not to use them.

Definitions of genital ulcer disease and variation in risk for prevalent human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVES: Although genital ulcer disease (GUD) has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a number of studies, definitions of genital ulceration have varied. The authors hypothesized that the association of GUD with prevalent HIV infection may vary according to the definition of GUD that is used. METHODS: As part of a prospective cohort study, 863 patients were interviewed and examined who presented to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic for new symptom evaluation and who agreed to HIV testing to determine demographic and behavioral risk associated with prevalent HIV infection. To determine the association between GUD and prevalent HIV, the following definitions of GUD were used: observed ulcers, history of syphilis, serologic evidence of syphilis, observed culture-proven genital herpes, and serologic evidence of herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2) infection. RESULTS: Of 481 men and 382 women enrolled, prevalent HIV infection was detected in 12.5% and 5.2%, respectively. In multivariate analyses controlling for known HIV risk behaviors, prevalent HIV infection was associated with observed GUD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.0, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.0-3.9), a history of syphilis (OR = 6.0, CI = 2.8-12.7), and serologic evidence of syphilis (OR = 3.7, CI = 1.9-7.0), but not with serologic evidence of HSV-2 (OR = 1.2, CI = 0.7-2.1), nor with observed HSV-2 culture-positive genital ulcerations (OR = 1.0, CI = 0.4-4.2). Factors contributing to different strengths of association between HIV infection and a history of syphilis or serologic evidence of syphilis included the presence of underdiagnosed syphilis infection in people with reactive serologic tests and the absence of serologic reactivity in people with a positive history. CONCLUSIONS: Although GUD is strongly associated with prevalent HIV, the strength of the association depends on the definition of GUD used. For accurate evaluation of people at risk for HIV, clinicians and researchers should use multiple definitions of GUD.

A randomized trial of enhanced therapy for early syphilis in patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection. The Syphilis and HIV Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Reports of neurosyphilis and invasion of cerebrospinal fluid by Treponema pallidum in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have led to doubts about the adequacy of the recommended penicillin G benzathine therapy for early syphilis. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, we assessed two treatments for early syphilis: 2.4 million units of penicillin G benzathine and that therapy enhanced with a 10-day course of amoxicillin and probenecid. The serologic and clinical responses of patients with and without HIV infection were studied during one year of follow-up. RESULTS: From 1991 through 1994, 541 patients were enrolled, including 101 patients (19 percent) who had HIV infection but differed little from the uninfected patients in their clinical presentations. The rates at which chancres and rashes resolved did not differ significantly according to treatment assignment or HIV status. Serologically defined treatment failures were more common among the HIV-infected patients. The single clinically defined treatment failure was in an HIV-infected patient. Rates of serologically defined treatment failure did not differ according to treatment group (18 percent at six months with usual therapy; 17 percent with enhanced therapy). T. pallidum was found at enrollment in the cerebrospinal fluid of 32 of 131 patients (24 percent) and after therapy in 7 of 35 patients tested. None had clinically evident neurosyphilis, and the rate of detection of T. pallidum did not differ according to HIV status. CONCLUSIONS: After treatment for primary or secondary syphilis, the HIV-infected patients responded less well serologically than the patients without HIV infection, but clinically defined failure was uncommon in both groups. Enhanced treatment with amoxicillin and probenecid did not improve the outcomes. Although T. pallidum was detected in cerebrospinal fluid before therapy in a quarter of the patients tested, such a finding did not predict treatment failure. The current recommendations for treating early syphilis appear adequate for most patients, whether or not they have HIV infection.

Early intervention for human immunodeficiency virus in Baltimore Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinics. Impact on gonorrhea incidence in patients infected with HIV.

BACKGROUND: High incidences of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) after posttest counseling have been documented in patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Baltimore STD clinics. In July 1991, the authors instituted an HIV early intervention program providing long-term medical care and social work services. This study compares the incidence of gonorrhea after post-HIV+ test counseling in patients diagnosed with HIV before and after the institution of the early intervention program. METHODS: Medical records of a cohort composed of all patients newly diagnosed with HIV and those who underwent posttest counseling for HIV in 1991 to 1993 in two Baltimore STD clinics were reviewed. Patients were offered early intervention medical and social work services. Gonorrhea incidence in this cohort was compared to a historical cohort diagnosed and counseled for post-HIV+ testing in 1988 to 1989 who were not offered early intervention services. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 418 days (range, 26 to 703 days). After post-HIV+ test counseling, gonorrhea developed in 39 of 468 (8.3%) men in the 1989 cohort and 13 of 400 (3.3%) men in the 1991 to 1993 cohort. Controlling for variable length of follow-up, the 1991 to 1993 cohort had a relative risk of 0.442 for the development of gonorrhea during the study period (95% confidence interval, 0.225 to 0.790; P = 0.006). Incident gonorrhea after post-HIV+ test counseling also was associated with a prevalent gonorrhea condition at the time of HIV diagnosis (RR = 3.02; 95% CI, 1.75 to 5.23; P = 0.0001) and failure to return for post-HIV+ test counseling as scheduled (RR = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.17-4.43; P = 0.013). After adjustment for gonorrhea at the time of HIV diagnosis and failure to return for scheduled posttest counseling, the difference in gonorrhea incidence between men in the two cohorts remained statistically significant (RR = 0.494; 95% CI, 0.260 to 0.941; P = 0.032). In comparison, overall gonorrhea rates in Baltimore changed little between 1988 and 1993. No significant difference was found in gonorrhea incidence in women, which may have been the result of active gonorrhea screening during the 1991 to 1993 period, which was not performed in 1988 to 1989. CONCLUSIONS: Providing clinical care to persons with HIV may facilitate the reduction of high-risk behaviors that lead to incident STDs and further HIV transmission.