Sexually transmitted infections: challenges ahead.

: WHO estimated that nearly 1 million people become infected every day with any of four curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Despite their high global incidence, STIs remain a neglected area of research. In this Commission, we have prioritised five areas that represent particular challenges in STI treatment and control. Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI in high-income countries despite widespread testing recommendations, sensitive and specific non-invasive testing techniques, and cheap effective therapy. We discuss the challenges for chlamydia control and evidence to support a shift from the current focus on infection-based screening to improved management of diagnosed cases and of chlamydial morbidity, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is globally recognised. We review current and potential future control and treatment strategies, with a focus on novel antimicrobials. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal disorder in women, but current treatments are associated with frequent recurrence. Recurrence after treatment might relate to evidence that suggests sexual transmission is integral to the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis, which has substantial implications for the development of effective management approaches. STIs disproportionately affect low-income and middle-income countries. We review strategies for case management, focusing on point-of-care tests that hold considerable potential for improving STI control. Lastly, STIs in men who have sex with men have increased since the late 1990s. We discuss the contribution of new biomedical HIV prevention strategies and risk compensation. Overall, this Commission aims to enhance the understanding of some of the key challenges facing the field of STIs, and outlines new approaches to improve the clinical management of STIs and public health.<br/

Mpox vaccination willingness, determinants, and communication needs in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, in the context of limited vaccine availability in the Netherlands (Dutch Mpox-survey)

IntroductionIn the 2022 multicountry mpox (formerly named monkeypox) outbreak, several countries offered primary preventive vaccination (PPV) to people at higher risk for infection. We study vaccine acceptance and its determinants, to target and tailor public health (communication-) strategies in the context of limited vaccine supply in the Netherlands. MethodsOnline survey in a convenience sample of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, including transgender persons (22/07-05/09/2022, the Netherlands). We assessed determinants for being (un)willing to accept vaccination. We used multivariable multinominal regression and logistic regression analyses, calculating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95 percent confidence-intervals. An open question asked for campaigning and procedural recommendations. ResultsOf respondents, 81.5% (n = 1,512/1,856) were willing to accept vaccination; this was 85.2% (799/938) in vaccination-eligible people and 77.7% (713/918) in those non-eligible. Determinants for non-acceptance included: urbanization (rural: aOR:2.2;1.2-3.7; low-urban: aOR:2.4;1.4-3.9; vs. high-urban), not knowing mpox-vaccinated persons (aOR:2.4;1.6-3.4), and lack of connection to gay/queer-community (aOR:2.0;1.5-2.7). Beliefs associated with acceptance were: perception of higher risk/severity of mpox, higher protection motivation, positive outcome expectations post vaccination, and perceived positive social norms regarding vaccination. Respondents recommended better accessible communication, delivered regularly and stigma-free, with facts on mpox, vaccination and procedures, and other preventive options. Also, they recommended, "vaccine provision also at non-clinic settings, discrete/anonymous options, self-registration" to be vaccinated and other inclusive vaccine-offers (e.g., also accessible to people not in existing patient-registries). ConclusionIn the public health response to the mpox outbreak, key is a broad and equitable access to information, and to low-threshold vaccination options for those at highest risk. Communication should be uniform and transparent and tailored to beliefs, and include other preventive options. Mpox vaccine willingness was high. Public health efforts may be strengthened in less urbanized areas and reach out to those who lack relevant (community) social network influences

A large multi-country outbreak of monkeypox across 41 countries in the WHO European Region, 7 March to 23 August 2022

Following the report of a non-travel-associated cluster of monkeypox cases by the United Kingdom in May 2022, 41 countries across the WHO European Region have reported 21,098 cases and two deaths by 23 August 2022. Nowcasting suggests a plateauing in case notifications. Most cases (97%) are MSM, with atypical rash-illness presentation. Spread is mainly through close contact during sexual activities. Few cases are reported among women and children. Targeted interventions of at-risk groups are needed to stop further transmission. © 2022 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved.The authors affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO) are alone responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or policies of the WHO. The co-author is a fellow of the ECDC Fellowship Programme, supported financially by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The views and opinions expressed herein do not state or reflect those of ECDC. ECDC is not responsible for the data and information collation and analysis and cannot be held liable for conclusions or opinions drawn

Eponymous hip joint approaches

Item does not contain fulltextAfter the low friction arthroplasty by John Charnley was no longer confined to specialized hospitals but commonplace in the general orthopedic practice, the issue remained how to most optimally reach the hip. The names of the authors of these approaches remain in a lot of cases connected to the approach. By evaluating the original articles in which the approaches are described we ascertain the original description and technique. By various sources we obtained the (short) biography of the people whose name is connected to the approach. Our research covers the biographies of colleagues Smith-Petersen, Watson-Jones, Hardinge, Charnley, Moore and Ludloff. The eponymous approaches are shown and described after the short biography on each individual. This study shows that without the work of our colleagues we cannot proceed in our profession. An understanding and knowledge of the people who dedicated themselves to developing the orthopedic surgery to the high standard it has today is the least honour we should give them

Ankle fusion after failed ankle replacement in rheumatic and non-rheumatic patients

Background: With longer follow-up, survival rate of total ankle replacements (TAR) diminishes. It is therefore important to have a reliable fall-back option in case of failed TAR. Revision arthroplasty is often impossible because of loss of bonestock or infection. Conversion to ankle fusion is then indicated. We investigated the clinical, radiographic and patient reported results for fusion after failed TAR in a consecutive group of patients. We concentrated on the influence of inflammatory joint disease (IJD) on union rate. Methods: Patient files and radiographic images of 46 consecutive patients (47 ankles) were reviewed. There were 22 patients with IJD. Fixation methods included; anterior plating, blade plate fixation, intramedullary nailing, compression screws and external fixation. Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) were used to determine patient related outcomes. Results: Forty out of 47 ankles (85%) Fused. Union rate in the non-IJD group (96%) was significantly higher compared to the IJD-group (73%, p = 0.04). Revisions and complications were more frequent in the IJD group, but numbers were too small to detect a significant difference. Mean PROM scores were: FAOS-symptoms; 68.5, FAOS-pain; 70.3, FAOS-QoL; 43.7, FAOS-ADL; 68.1 and FAAM-ADL; 52.1, with no significant difference between IJD and non-IJD patients. Conclusions: IJD-patients have a higher nonunion rate after ankle fusion for failed TAR. However, patient reported outcome is not significantly different between the two groups. Level of evidence: IV, retrospective cohort

Dynamic trial fitting by an expanding trial cup does not jeopardize primary acetabular component stability

Background: Trial fitting of the acetabular component in uncemented total hip replacement is traditionally done by trial cups. Since trial cups do not resemble the real press-fit obtained by the definitive cup, a dynamic trial inserter, called the X-pander ®, was developed to mimic the real amount of press-fit. However, the concern is raised of losing the initial press-fit by using the X-pander® due to pre-expansion of the acetabulum. The purpose of this study was to assess if there is a difference in primary stability between both methods. Methods: A biomechanical randomized study was performed with bovine calf acetabula, with randomization between either using the X-pander® or the traditional trial cups to assess primary stability. The primary outcome was the force needed to achieve lever out of the implanted cup (Anexys, Mathys or Trident, Stryker), measured in Newton meter (Nm) with a biomechanical testing set up. Findings: In total, 54 cups (19 Anexys, 35 Trident) were inserted and tested after randomized trial fitting. Overall mean lever out was 45.1 Nm (SD 14.6) for the X-pander® group and 45.0 Nm (SD 14.5) for the trial cups group. After adjustment for potential confounders (cup size and type) mixed model analysis did not reveal a significant difference in lever out force between both testing devices (mean 1.0 Nm, 95%CI (−5.9; 8.0), p =.77). Interpration: Initial press-fit of the implanted cup is not lost by pre-expansion as done with dynamic trial fitting with the X-pander®

Scenarios of future mpox outbreaks among men who have sex with men:a modelling study based on cross-sectional seroprevalence data from the Netherlands, 2022

Background: Following the 2022–2023 mpox outbreak, crucial knowledge gaps exist regarding orthopoxvirus-specific immunity in risk groups and its impact on future outbreaks. Aim: We combined cross-sectional seroprevalence studies in two cities in the Netherlands with mathematical modelling to evaluate scenarios of future mpox outbreaks among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 1,065 MSM attending Centres for Sexual Health (CSH) in Rotterdam or Amsterdam following the peak of the Dutch mpox outbreak and the introduction of vaccination. For MSM visiting the Rotterdam CSH, sera were linked to epidemiological and vaccination data. An in-house developed ELISA was used to detect vaccinia virus (VACV)-specific IgG. These observations were combined with published data on serial interval and vaccine effectiveness to inform a stochastic transmission model that estimates the risk of future mpox outbreaks.Results: The seroprevalence of VACV-specific antibodies was 45.4% and 47.1% in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, respectively. Transmission modelling showed that the impact of risk group vaccination on the original outbreak was likely small. However, assuming different scenarios, the number of mpox cases in a future outbreak would be markedly reduced because of vaccination. Simultaneously, the current level of immunity alone may not prevent future outbreaks. Maintaining a short time-to-diagnosis is a key component of any strategy to prevent new outbreaks. Conclusion: Our findings indicate a reduced likelihood of large future mpox outbreaks among MSM in the Netherlands under current conditions, but emphasise the importance of maintaining population immunity, diagnostic capacities and disease awareness.</p