Sexually transmitted infections in asymptomatic men who have sex with men

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ACTUALIZATION

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is a vulnerable social group at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. The gradual increase in new cases of gonococcal and chlamydia infections, trichomoniasis, syphilis and HIV worldwide is associated with the spread of STIs among MSM. Preventive screening of MSM is not regulated in Russia, and there has been no large-scale research on STIs among MSM who do not apply for screening; therefore, the situation with regard to the incidence among MSM remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a study on the prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, HSV 1, HSV 2, T. vaginalis and T. pallidum among asymptomatic MSM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Were surveyed 518 MSM. The biomaterial from the oropharynx, rectum and the first portion of urine were examined from each participant for the presence of DNA N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, T. vaginalis, HSV 1, HSV 2 and T. pallidum with the help of reagent kits based on real-time PCR — Amplipram NCMT, Amplipram HSV 1/HSV 2 and Amplipram T.pallidum.

RESULTS

In 40.3% of MSM at least one pathogen was detected in any of 3 anatomical loci, with 83.3% of STIs detected extragenital. N was reliably detected more often in the rectum than in the urethra N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium (p<0.0001), HSV 1 (p=0.0039) and HSV 2 (p=0.0007), while for T. pallidum there was a tendency for more frequent detection (p=0.0693). When comparing the frequency of STIs in oropharyngeal and urogenital anatomical regions, no difference between C. trachomatis and M. genitalium was observed, but HSV 1, N. gonorrhoeae, HSV 2 and T. pallidum in the oropharynx was detected reliably more frequently (p<0.0001, p=0.0014, p=0.0466, p=0.0209).

SUMMARY

A large-scale study was carried out to determine the prevalence of STIs among MSM in the Moscow region. The data obtained indicate a high incidence of STIs among this category of patients. Most of the infections are localized extragenital — in the anorectal and oropharyngeal anatomical areas.

Keywords:

men who have sex with men (MSM)

Sexually transmitted infections

(STIs)

screening

extragenital infection

gonococcal infection

chlamydial infection

Mycoplasma genitalium infection

syphilis

herpes

Authors:

Tyulenev Y.A.

People’s Friendship University of Russia

Gushchin A.E.

Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology

ORCID: 0000-0002-0399-1167

Received:

13.10.2020

Accepted:

23.10.2020

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