Between January and November 2015, 75 urethritis cases due to a distinct Nm clade occurred among primarily black, heterosexual men in Columbus, Ohio. Future urogenital Nm infection studies should focus on pathogenesis and modes of sexual transmission.

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Background.Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals have increased risk for vascular thrombosis, potentially driven by interactions between activated leukocytes and the endothelium.Methods.Monocyte subsets (CD14+CD16−, CD14+CD16+, CD14DimCD16+) from HIV negative (HIV−) and antiretroviral therapy-treated HIV positive (HIV+) participants (N = 19 and 49) were analyzed by flow cytometry for adhesion molecule expression (lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 [LFA-1], macrophage-1 antigen [Mac-1], CD11c/CD18, very late antigen [VLA]-4) and the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1); these receptors recognize ligands (intercellular adhesion molecules [ICAMs], vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM]-1, fractalkine) on activated endothelial cells (ECs) and promote vascular migration. Plasma markers of monocyte (soluble [s]CD14, sCD163) and EC (VCAM-1, ICAM-1,2, fractalkine) activation and systemic (tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR-I], TNFR-II) and vascular (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 [Lp-PLA2]) inflammation were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results.Proportions of CD16+ monocyte subsets were increased in HIV+ participants. Among all monocyte subsets, levels of LFA-1 were increased and CX3CR1 levels were decreased in HIV+ participants (P < .01). Levels of sCD163, sCD14, fractalkine, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNFR-II, and Lp-PLA2 were also increased in HIV+ participants (P < .05), and levels of sCD14, TNFR-I, and TNFR-II were directly related to ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in HIV+ participants. Expression of CX3CR1 on monocyte subsets was inversely related to plasma Lp-PLA2 (P < .05 for all).Conclusions.Increased proportions of CD16+ monocytes, cells with altered adhesion molecule expression, combined with elevated levels of their ligands, may promote vascular inflammation in HIV infection.

Aim Unprotected anal intercourse is often used as a single indicator of risky behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM), yet MSM engage in a variety of behaviors which have unknown associations with sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV. We assessed the prevalence of a wide range of sexual behaviors as well as their associations with prevalent STI and HIV. Methods We used a standardized, self-administered survey to collect behavioral data for this cross-sectional study of 235 MSM seeking care in a public STD clinic. Using modified Poisson regression, we generated unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) to characterize associations between recent participation in each behavior and prevalent STI and HIV. Results Participants’ median age was 26 years. One-third (35%) were STI-positive. STI prevalence was significantly associated with using sex slings (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 2.35), felching (aPR: 2.22), group sex (aPR: 1.86), fisting (aPR: 1.78), anonymous sex (aPR: 1.51), and sex toys (aPR: 1.46). HIV prevalence was 17% and was significantly associated with fisting (aPR: 4.75), felching (aPR: 4.22), enemas (aPR: 3.65), and group sex (aPR: 1.92). Conclusions Multiple behaviors were significantly associated with prevalent STI and HIV in adjusted analyses. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of sexual risk among MSM, prospective studies are needed to examine whether these behaviors are causally associated with HIV/STI acquisition.

Although the benefits of ART during pregnancy for prevention of MTCT are undisputed, this systematic review indicates that ART regimens vary substantially in their association with LBW and PTB. Although challenging, optimization of ART regimens could simultaneously promote maternal health, prevent MTCT, and also minimize risks of PTB and LBW.