scholarly journals Neurosyphilis Presenting as Asymptomatic Optic Perineuritis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Parker ◽  
John H. Pula
Keyword(s):  
White Cell Count ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opening Pressure ◽  
Disc Edema ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Nerve Sheath ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Ocular Disorders

Introduction. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is known as “the great imitator” due to its wide variety of clinical presentations, including ocular disorders. There has been an increase in the rate of syphilis in the United States, especially in persons with HIV. We report a case of optic perineuritis in an asymptomatic male secondary to central nervous system (CNS) syphilis.Case Report. A 41-year-old man was found to have bilateral disc edema on a routine exam. Brain MRI was unremarkable, and lumbar puncture revealed a normal opening pressure, with an elevated cerebrospinal fluid white cell count. Orbit MRI showed optic nerve sheath expansion and enhancement, consistent with optic perineuritis. He tested positive for syphilis based on serum RPR and FTA-ABS.Conclusion. Ophthalmologic findings, including disc edema, may be the presenting features of CNS syphilis. Even in asymptomatic persons, perineuritis should be considered early, as diagnosis and treatment are imperative given the progressive nature of the disease.

A taxonomy of the scope and organization of local sexually transmitted disease services for policy and practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (14) ◽  
pp. 1375-1383
Author(s):  
Hector P Rodriguez ◽  
Summer Starling ◽  
Zosha Kandel ◽  
Robert Weech-Maldonado ◽  
Nicholas J Moss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Cluster Solution ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Local health departments (LHDs) and their organizational partners play a critical role in controlling sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. We examine variation in the differentiation, integration, and concentration (DIC) of STD services and develop a taxonomy describing the scope and organization of local STD services. LHD STD programs (n = 115) in Alabama (AL) and California (CA) responded to surveys assessing STD services available in 2014. K-means cluster analysis identified LHD groupings based on DIC variation. Discriminant analysis validated cluster solutions. Differences in organizational partnerships and scope of STD services were compared by taxonomy category. Multivariable regression models estimated the association of the STD services organization taxonomy and five-year (2010–2014) gonorrhea incidence rates, controlling for county-level sociodemographics and resources. A three-cluster solution was identified: (1) low DIC (n = 74), (2) moderate DIC (n = 31), and (3) high DIC (n = 10). In discriminant analysis, 95% of jurisdictions were classified into the same types as originally assigned through K-means cluster analysis. High DIC jurisdictions were more likely (p < 0.001) to partner with most organizations than moderate and low DIC jurisdictions, and more likely (p < 0.001) to conduct STD needs assessment, comprehensive sex education, and targeted screening. In contrast, contact tracing, case management, and investigations were conducted similarly across jurisdictions. In adjusted analyses, there were no differences in gonorrhea incidence rates by category. Jurisdictions in CA and AL can be characterized into three distinct clusters based on the DIC of STD services. Taxonomic analyses may aid in improving the reach and effectiveness of STD services.

scholarly journals Trends in Receipt of Sexually Transmitted Disease Services Among Women 15 to 44 Years Old in the United States, 2002 to 2006–2010

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura T. Haderxhanaj ◽  
Thomas L. Gift ◽  
Penny S. Loosier ◽  
Ryan C. Cramer ◽  
Jami S. Leichliter
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Disease ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

scholarly journals Reaching Youth With Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison L. Friedman ◽  
Allison Bozniak ◽  
Jessie Ford ◽  
Ashley Hill ◽  
Kristina Olson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Disease ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Disease Testing

Nine programs were funded across eight states in the United States to customize, implement, and evaluate local campaigns in support of the national Get Yourself Tested ( GYT) campaign. Each program promoted chlamydia screening and treatment/referral to sexually active young women (aged 15–25 years) and their partners through accessible, free, or low-cost services. This article documents the strategies and outcomes of these local GYT campaigns, highlighting the diversity in which a national sexual health campaign is implemented at the local level and identifying challenges and successes. Nearly all ( n = 7) programs involved target audience members in campaign development/implementation. Youth were linked to free or low-cost sexually transmitted disease testing through community centers, high schools and colleges, community and clinic events; online or text-based ordering of test kits; and community pickup locations. Sites used a combination of traditional and new media, on-the-ground activities, promotional products, and educational and social events to promote testing. With the exception of one site, all sites reported increases in the number of persons tested for chlamydia during campaign implementation, compared to baseline. Increases ranged from 0.5% to 128%. Successes included development of local partnerships, infrastructure, and capacity; use of peer leaders and involvement; and opportunities to explore new innovations. Challenges included use of social media/new technologies, timing constraints, limited organizational and evaluation capacity, and unforeseen delays/setbacks. Each of these issues is explored, along with lessons learned, with intent to inform future sexual health promotion efforts.

scholarly journals Sexual Health Variables and the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Victoria Barry ◽  
Shannon B. Myers ◽  
Amy E. Sgrenci ◽  
Megan Lavery ◽  
Deirdra Frum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Status Seeking

Recent strides have been made in developing vaccines to prevent contraction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is currently the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States. This study looked to investigate seven sexually relevant variables hypothesized to be related to a young woman's choice to receive the Gardasil® vaccine in order to prevent HPV contraction via a cross sectional survey. In a sample of 77 undergraduate women, we investigated the relationship between receipt of Gardasil® and the following variables: knowledge regarding HPV, relationship status, seeking gynecological services, having received an abnormal PAP smear, sexual activity status, number of sexual partners, and concern about contracting HPV. Logistical regression analysis and independent groups t-test revealed that none of these factors were related to actual receipt of the HPV vaccine in this sample. These results suggest the need for more research regarding potential practical barriers to HPV vaccination.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Biostar Chlamydia OIA Assay with Specimens from Women Attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic

1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 2183-2186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell S. Pate ◽  
Paula B. Dixon ◽  
Kim Hardy ◽  
Mark Crosby ◽  
E. W. Hook
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Screening Assay ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. In acute-care settings such as clinics and emergency rooms, a desirable chlamydia screening assay should exhibit good sensitivity and good specificity and should provide test results while the patient is still present. The Biostar Chlamydia OIA (Biostar, Inc., Boulder, Colo.) is an optical immunoassay (OIA) that provides test results in less than 30 min and that uses a test format that allows office-based testing. This assay is performed entirely at room temperature without the need for rotators or other specialized equipment. The goal of this study was to compare the performance of the Biostar Chlamydia OIA for the detection of C. trachomatis with the performance of cell culture, direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) assay (Syva MicroTrak; Syva Co., Palo Alto, Calif.), and PCR (Roche Amplicor Chlamydia trachomatis; Roche, Branchburg, N.J.) for the detection ofC. trachomatis infections in women attending an urban STD clinic. For calculations of relative test performance (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values), patient specimens that yielded positive results by two or more of the four assays (cell culture, DFA assay, PCR, and OIA) were classified as “true infections.” By these criteria, 42 of 306 total specimens were classified as positive for C. trachomatis (positive prevalence, 13.7%), 11 (3.6%; 10 by PCR and 1 by DFA assay) were positive by a single assay, and 253 (82.7%) were negative by all four tests. All culture-positive specimens were also positive by at least one other assay. Among the culture-negative specimens, 14 (5%) specimens were positive by two of the three non-culture-based assays used. By using the criterion that positivity by at least two of the tests indicated a true infection, the relative sensitivities were as follows: culture and PCR, 92.9% each; Biostar Chlamydia OIA, 73.8%; and DFA assay, 59.5%.

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