Z. Mor, T. Shohat, Y. Goor and M. Dan
Background: The increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Israel during the last decade raises concerns regarding other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in MSM, which are yet undetermined.
Objectives: To evaluate the STD burden in MSM and heterosexuals visiting the Tel Aviv walk-in STD clinic.
Methods: Records of all male patients who attended the clinic once were reviewed to identify demographic characteristics, behavioural attributes, and test results.
Results: Between 2002 and 2008, 1064 MSM (22%) and 3755 heterosexuals (78%) visited the clinic once. Positivity rates in MSM for HIV, urethral Neisseria gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis were higher than in heterosexuals (2.5%, 2.5%. 0.7% vs. 0.6%, 1.3%, 0.3%, respectively), while urethral Chlamydia trachomatis was higher in heterosexuals than in MSM (2.7% and 1.4%, respectively). MSM tested in our clinic were younger than heterosexuals (P < 0.001), more commonly circumcised (P = 0.03) and Israeli-born (P < 0.001), used substances during sex (P = 0.04), and had prior STD (P < 0.001), a greater number of sexual partners (P < 0.001), and earlier sexual debut (P = 0.02). The final multivariate results for MSM to be diagnosed with HIV/STD were greater number of sexual contacts, previous diagnosis with STD, and infrequent use of condom during anal intercourse.
Conclusions: MSM visiting the Levinsky Clinic had higher rates of HIV/STD than heterosexual males, which correlated with their higher-risk behaviors. The unique characteristics of MSM found in our study, such as sex work, substance use, previous diagnosis of STD, multiple partners and inconsistent use of condom during anal sex should be addressed with innovative interventions to prevent STD/HIV in the gay community in Israel.
T. Brosh-Nissimov, Z. Mor, E. Avramovich, E. Katchman, B. Avidor, O. Mor and D. Turner
Background: Outbreaks of syphilis have been described among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many western urban communities in the last few years.
Objectives: To describe the first reported outbreak of syphilis among MSM in Israel within a decade of a constant increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence.
Methods: All patients diagnosed with syphilis were contacted and asked about their sexual behavior, substance use and previous infections. All were tested for HIV and a phylogenetic analysis was performed.
Results: A total of 23 (59%) of all 39 male patients diagnosed with primary or secondary syphilis between August 2008 and August 2009 were interviewed. All were MSM and performed anal intercourse, while 13 (55%) reported unprotected anal intercourse. Most participants (21, 91%) practiced unprotected oral intercourse. Nine participants (39%) reported unprotected oral intercourse while using condoms during anal intercourse. Ten participants (43%) reported sexual contacts while traveling abroad in the previous few months. Most participants (96%) were co-infected with HIV, and 15 (68%) were already aware of their HIV infection. Fifteen (66%) reported the use of recreational drugs, alcohol, or both before or during sex. No common source or core transmitters were identified.
Conclusions: This syphilis outbreak included MSM who were co-infected with HIV and were characterized by risky sexual behavior including multiple partners, unprotected anal intercourse and substance use. Future targeted interventions should focus on HIV-infected MSM for secondary prevention.
O.S. Cohen, I. Prohovnik, A. D. Korczyn, R. Inzelberg, Z. Nitsan, S. Appel, E. Kahana, H. Rosenmann and J. Chapman
Background: While myoclonus and ataxia are considered common in patients with familial Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (fCJD), other movement disorders are less prevalent.
Objectives: To systemically evaluate the frequency of extrapyramidal signs and movement disorders in patients with fCJD.
Methods: A detailed neurological examination, with special emphasis on movement disorders and extrpyramidal signs, was conducted in 43 consecutive symptomatic CJD patients (26 males and 17 females mean age 58.7 ± 8.9 yrs, range 43–77 years) carrying the E200K mutation in the PRNP gene.
Results: Limb or gait ataxia was noted in 38 patients (88%) (37 patients, 86%, had ataxia at presentation). Myoclonus was evident in 25/43 patients (58%) (21 patients, 49%, at presentation). In 95% of the patients (41/43) (37/43, 86% at presentation) at least one extrapyramidal sign throughout the disease course was noted, the most prevalent being rigidity (28/43, 65% of the patients and 22/43, 51% at presentation), followed by the glabellar sign (24/43, 56% of the patients and 22/43, 51% at presentation), bradykinesia (19/43, 44% and 15/43, 35% at presentation), dystonia (15/43, 35% 12/43, 28% at presentation) and tremor (13/43, 30% 12/43, 28% at presentation).
Conclusions: In this unique population of fCJD patients, myoclonus was less prevalent than previously reported while other extrpyramidal signs were common and occurred at a relatively early stage of the disease. The high prevalence of movement disorders can be added to other phenomena characteristic of this familial disorder among Libyan Jews. Whether this is attributable to the E200K mutation itself or to some other mechanism has still to be elucidated.