Omnia disce: Hugh of St. Victor on History, the Arts, and Exegesis

The twelfth-century theologian Hugh of St. Victor is generally credited with redefining history in its relationship to medieval biblical exegesis. He inspired exegetes to look beyond the text of Scripture at the historical realities behind it. This, in turn, led historiographers to take biblical exegesis more seriously as a source for historical knowledge. Hugh's thinking deeply influenced the practice of medieval exegesis (as attested by the works of Andrew of St. Victor and Peter Comestor) and, albeit to a somewhat lesser extent, the writing of history in the thirteenth century, in the work of historians such as Helinand of Froidmont and Vincent of Beauvais.

The added value of chlamydia screening between 2008-2010 in reaching young people in addition to chlamydia testing in regular care; an observational study

Background: Internet-based Chlamydia Screening Implementation (chlamydia screening programme) was introduced in the Netherlands in 2008-2010 to detect and treat asymptomatic infections and to limit ongoing transmission through annual testing and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis in young people (16-29 years). This population-based screening may be less effective when addressing individuals who are already covered by regular care, instead of addressing a hidden key population without chlamydia testing experience in regular care. This study had two aims: (1) to assess the rate and determinants of newly reached (i.e. not previously tested in 2006-2010) participants in the chlamydia screening programme, and (2) to assess the chlamydia positivity in these newly reached participants. Methods: This observational matching study included all chlamydia tests performed in subjects aged 16-29 years in eastern South Limburg in the Netherlands (population 16-29 years: 41,000) between 2006-2010. Testing was conducted during the systematic chlamydia screening programme (2008-2010), at a sexually transmitted infections clinic (STI clinic), by general practitioners (GPs), and by medical specialists as reported by the medical laboratory serving the region. Data were matched between testing services on individual level. The study population included all participants who were tested at least once for chlamydia by the chlamydia screening programme. Participants were included at their first chlamydia screening participation. Results: In the chlamydia screening programme, 80.7% (4298/ 5323) of participants were newly reached, others were previously tested by the STI clinic (5.7%, n=304), GPs (6.2%, n=328), medical specialists (3.5%, n=187) or a combination of providers (3.9%, n=206). Chlamydia prevalence was similar in newly reached participants (4.8%, 204/4298) and participants previously tested (4.5%, 46/1025, P=0.82). Independent determinants for being a newly reached participant were male gender (men OR 2.9; 95% CI 2.5-3.4) and young age <21 years (versus 25-29 years OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5-2.2). Conclusions: The majority of the chlamydia screening programme participants have not been tested by regular care, and show similar chlamydia prevalence as those previously tested. Thereby population-based chlamydia screening adds to the existing regular care by testing young individuals hidden to current regular car

A comprehensive overview of urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> testing and diagnoses among different STI care providers:a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Gonorrhoea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), can cause reproductive morbidity, is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics and is frequently asymptomatic, which shows the essential role of NG test practice. In this study we wanted to compare NG diagnostic testing procedures between different STI care providers serving a defined geographic Dutch region (280,000 inhabitants). Methods Data on laboratory testing and diagnosis of urogenital and extragenital (i.e. anorectal and oropharyngeal) NG were retrieved from general practitioners (GPs), an STI clinic, and gynaecologists (2006–2010). Per provider, we assessed their contribution regarding the total number of tests performed and type of populations tested, the proportion of NG positives re-tested (3–12 months after treatment) and test-of-cure (TOC, within 3 months post treatment). Results Overall, 17,702 NG tests (48.7% STI clinic, 38.2% GPs, 13.1% gynaecologists) were performed during 15,458 patient visits. From this total number of tests, 2257 (12.7%) were extragenital, of which 99.4% were performed by the STI clinic. Men were mostly tested at the STI clinic (71%) and women by their GP (43%). NG positivity per visit was 1.6%; GP 1.9% (n = 111), STI clinic 1.7% (n = 131) and gynaecology 0.2% (n = 5). NG positivity was associated with Chlamydia trachomatis positivity (OR: 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.46–2.92). Per anatomical location, the proportion of NG positives re-tested were: urogenital 20.3% (n = 36), anorectal 43.6% (n = 17) and oropharyngeal 57.1% (n = 20). NG positivity among re-tests was 16.9%. Proportions of NG positives with TOC by anatomical location were: urogenital 10.2% (n = 18), anorectal 17.9% (n = 7) and oropharyngeal 17.1% (n = 6). Conclusions To achieve best practice in relation to NG testing, we recommend that: 1) GPs test at extragenital sites, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), 2) all care providers consider re-testing 3 to 12 months after NG diagnosis and 3) TOC is performed following oropharyngeal NG diagnosis in settings which provide services to higher-risk men and women (such as STI clinics)

«Speculator castrorum Dei». Philosophy and Theology in Godfrey of St. Victor’s Sermons

In his sermons Godfrey of St. Victor analyzes the theoretical foundations of the mechanical and liberal arts starting from the teaching of his school. Considering the arts as man’s guaranteed expedient for his survival after original sin, Godfrey clarifies the modalities of a virtuous use of artes in the state of sin, even if he insists on showing the dramatic condition of the human soul linked to a body forced into materiality. By circumscribing the limits of the exercise of human reason, Godfrey distinguishes a philosophy as pagan metaphysics (whose object is grasped by man with the exercise of the sola ratio) and as a process of ascension to true theology (whose subject, otherwise unknown to the man, is granted to him with Revelation): if in the first one there is a risk, a danger of sin, the second is certainly necessary for the man who seeks God