Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research Articles

Epidemiology and changing trends of sexually transmitted diseases over the past 17 years in a tertiary care center: A retrospective study.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a major public health problem with significant burden on the society. Some of this can be attributed to our lack of knowledge about the change of disease spectrum from time to time. The aim of the study was to understand the changing pattern of STDs over the past 17 years (2003-2019). It was a retrospective study where data of patients who attended our Suraksha Clinic from 2003 to 2019 were collected. All the cases were subjected to detailed history, examination, and investigations done to rule out STDs. A total of 2436 patients were included in the study. The majority of the patients were in the age group of 18-30 years. The most frequent diagnosis was vulvovaginal candidiasis, followed by herpes genitalis. 3.3% of patients had human immunodeficiency virus. 4.8% of patients were men sex men (MSM). Overall, viral STDs were most common, followed by fungal and bacterial. To understand the changing trends, data were divided into different phases according to the time period. During Phase 1 (2003-2007), viral STDs were most common, followed by bacterial and fungal. However, this trend changed in Phase 4 (2016-2019) and fungal STDs became most common. Despite numerous health initiatives, the number of STD cases is rising day by day. The increasing number of MSM over the study period necessitates dedicated efforts to address the health needs of this population. The National AIDS Control Organization should take necessary measures and steps to address the overall increase in STDs considering recent trends showing a drop in bacterial STDs and an increase in fungal and viral STDs.

Emerging trends in sexually transmitted diseases in a tertiary care center in Davangere, Karnataka: A five year study.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a public health challenge, and the epidemiological profile is variable by geographical region and distinct from that of other diseases. Accurate knowledge of emerging disease trends is crucial for formulating effective control strategies. The aim and objective of this study were to identify the changing scenario and emerging trends of STDs in Davangere, Karnataka, by evaluating patients attending a tertiary care center. A tertiary care-based retrospective study was conducted by analyzing the clinical records of the attendees presenting to the STD clinic at Chigateri General Hospital affiliated to JJM Medical College in Davangere, Karnataka, for a period of 5 years from January 2015 to December 2019. The collected data were analyzed and statistically compared with other studies. Out of the 614 patients studied, the male-to-female ratio was 2:1, with 30-39 age groups being most affected. Eighty-eight percent of patients were married, with 36.64% giving a history of extramarital contact. Homosexual and bisexual contacts were observed to be 5.21% and 0.65%, respectively. Viral STDs affected nearly half of the patients (49.51%), followed by fungal (28.88%), bacterial (22.63%), and others (3.1%). The most common STD observed was herpes genitalis as seen in 101 (24.48%) patients, followed by candidal balanoposthitis (17.1%). Thirty-three (5.7%) patients were diagnosed with more than one STD. Of these patients, 13 were seropositive for HIV, resulting in a prevalence of 2.12%. The epidemiological profile of STDs is ever changing, and this study found an increase in viral and fungal STDs and downward trend of bacterial STDs comparable to that of studies from other regions.

Changing trends in sexually transmitted diseases during a seven year period- A retrospective study in STD clinic of a tertiary care hospital

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) shows various trends in different parts of the country and constitute a major public health problem for both developing and developed countries. STD`s increases the risk of transmission of Human Immuno Deficiency virus (HIV) infection causing immense need to understand the patterns of STD`s prevailing in the regions of a country for proper planning and implementation of STD control strategies. To know the pattern of STDs and to analyze the changes during a 7 year period among patients attending the STD clinic at the tertiary care centre. A retrospective analysis of data collected from the clinical records of patients attending the STD clinic of a tertiary care hospital, Mysuru over a period of 7 years (from Jan 2010 to Dec 2016). During this 7 years period, a total of 1,98,991 patients attended Skin and STD Department on out-patient basis, among them 2,111(1.06%) were STD patients [1057 males and 1054 females]. Majority were married (89.86%). The most common STD in males was balanoposthitis (32.92%) and in females was vaginal /cervical discharge (28.42%). Among genital ulcer diseases herpes genitalis was most common and increased gradually while Syphillis and Chancroid declined during the study period. Gonococcal urethritis was seen among 4.69% and LGV only in 0.14% (3 cases). HIV seropositivity in the study population was 7.25%.Bacterial STD`s showed a gradual reduction in number while fungal and viral STD`s showed increasing trends.

In Silico Studies against Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) refer to a variety of clinical syndromes and infections caused by pathogens that can be acquired and transmitted through sexual activity. Among STDs widely reported in the literature, viral sexual diseases have been increasing in a number of cases globally. This emphasizes the need for prevention and treatment. Among the methods widely used in drug planning are Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) studies and molecular docking which have the objective of investigating molecular interactions between two molecules to better understand the three -dimensional structural characteristics of the compounds. This review will discuss molecular docking studies applied to viral STDs, such as Ebola virus, Herpes virus and HIV, and reveal promising new drug candidates with high levels of specificity to their respective targets.

Sexually Transmitted Viral Infections

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) of viral origin comprise the most prevalent STDs on earth. The impact of viral STDs is compounded because, while they are treatable, they are not curable. Symptoms of infection are dependent on the type of infecting virus and can range from immune deficiency to skin lesions, warts, and cancer. Because of advances in antiviral therapies and rapid molecular diagnostics, patients harbor long-term, yet manageable conditions with this group of STDs. <b>ABBREVIATIONS:</b>STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease, HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HSV - Herpes simplex virus, HPV - Human Papillomavirus, ssRNA - single stranded RNA, CDC - Center for Disease Control, NAT - Nucleic Acid Test, ART - Antiretroviral Therapy, NIH - National Institutes of Health, AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, CCR5 - C-C chemokine receptor, CSF - cerebral spinal fluid

Gender Differences in Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major threat to the health of Americans. Chlamydial and gonococcal infections are 2 of the 5 most common infectious diseases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2009. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta (GA)2010 Google Scholar In recent years, as rates of STDs have plateaued (gonorrhea, syphilis) or risen (chlamydia), supplementary data indicate that viral STDs such as genital herpes afflict 1 in 5 sexually active Americans and that human papilloma virus will infect more than 80% of sexually active adults. 2. Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 among persons aged 14–49 years—United States 2005–2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010; 59: 456-459 PubMed Google Scholar , 3. Dunne E.F. Unger E.R. Sternberg M. et al. Prevalence of HPV infection among females in the United States. JAMA. 2007; 297: 813-819 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1149) Google Scholar Thus, viral STDs are far more common than the reportable bacterial STDs and are typically unrecognized by those with infection. As in the United States, STDs are a global health problem; however, rates of curable bacterial STDs are, unfortunately, more common in the United States than in other developed nations. 4. Aral S.O. Holmes K.K. The epidemiology of STIs and their social and behavioral determinants: industrial and developing countries. in: Holmes K.K. Sparling P.F. Stamm W.E. Sexually transmitted diseases. 4th ed. The McGraw Hill Companies, New York (NY)2008: 53-92 Google Scholar

Sexually transmitted diseases in children in India

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in children are not uncommon in India, though systematic epidemiological studies to determine the exact prevalence are not available. STDs in children can be acquired via sexual route or, uncommonly, via non-sexual route such as accidental inoculation by a diseased individual. Neonatal infections are almost always acquired intrauterine or during delivery. Voluntary indulgence in sexual activity is also an important factor in acquisition of STDs in childhood. Sexual abuse and sex trafficking remain the important problems in India. Surveys indicate that nearly half of the children are sexually abused. Most at risk children are street-based, homeless or those living in or near brothels. Last two decades have shown an increase in the prevalence of STDs in children, though most of the data is from northern part of the country and from major hospitals. However, due to better availability of antenatal care to majority of women, cases of congenital syphilis have declined consistently over the past two-three decades. Other bacterial STDs are also on decline. On the other hand, viral STDs such as genital herpes and anogenital warts are increasing. This reflects trends of STDs in the adult population. Concomitant HIV infection is uncommon in children. Comprehensive sex education, stringent laws to prevent sex trafficking and child sexual abuse, and antenatal screening of all the women can reduce the prevalence of STDs in children.

Historical Changes and the Present Situation of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) refer to a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that are acquired through sexual activity including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. The term sexually transmitted infection (STI) is used increasingly because it has a broader range of meaning; a person may be infected and may potentially infect others without showing signs of diseases. Approximately 340 million new cases of STDs occur each year in the world. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, notified cases of STDs in Korea decreased from 32,872 in 2002 to 12,486 in 2007. Bacterial STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydial infection declined continuously but syphilis and chlamydial infection increased again. Viral STDs such as genital herpes and condyloma acuminatum increased continuously. Gonorrhea and chlamydial infection are still the two most commonly reported STDs in Korea. Bacterial STDs can be cured. However, the problem is that viral STDs cannot be cured completely at present. Safe sex with proper education and the correct use of condom are important to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Early diagnosis and screening, proper treatment, and appropriate counseling from qualified physicians are necessary to prevent the complications and spread of STDs. Also, continuous monitoring and strategies of prevention of STDs will be necessary for improvement of the public health.

Emerging issues in management of sexually transmitted diseases in HIV infection

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur often among sexually active persons with HIV infection. Incident STDs may complicate the course of HIV infection and potentiate HIV transmission in the coinfected individual by mucosal disruption and an increase in HIV concentration in ulcers and involved mucous membranes. Conducting ongoing periodic sexual risk assessments in HIV-positive patients in routine medical care is critical to identifying asymptomatic infections. HIV clinicians should be familiar with updated recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of bacterial and viral STDs, including those specific to HIV infection. This article addresses emerging issues in the management of STDs in HIV-infected persons and summarizes the latest evidence that can be applied to clinical decision-making in this population.

Now I Know My STDs Part I: Viral STDs: Human Papilloma Virus, Genital Herpes, and Molluscum Contagiosum

Many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are asymptomatic or unrecognized. This emphasizes the importance of a confidential detailed sexual history to identify persons at risk. Examination and screening are essential components to aid in effective diagnosis and treatment. Evaluating and treating sexual partners and vaccinating persons at risk of preventable STDs all assist in control and prevention of infections and subsequent complications. Collaboration within the public and private sectors of the nursing and medical community is essential to the development of a multifaceted approach to these continued and sometimes deadly infections. Selected viral STDs are reviewed in the first of this two-part series; bacterial and protozoal infections are reviewed later.

The estimated direct medical cost of sexually transmitted diseases among American youth, 2000.

Each year, millions of U.S. youth acquire sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Estimates of the economic burden of STDs can help to quantify the impact of STDs on the nation's youth and on the payers of the cost of their medical care. We synthesized the existing literature on STD costs to estimate the lifetime medical cost per case of eight major STDs-HIV, human papillomavirus (HPV), genital herpes simplex virus type 2, hepatitis B, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and syphilis. We then estimated the total burden of disease by multiplying these cost-per-case estimates by the approximate number of new cases of STDs acquired by youth aged 15-24. The total estimated burden of the nine million new cases of these STDs that occurred among 15-24-year-olds in 2000 was $6.5 billion (in year 2000 dollars). Viral STDs accounted for 94% of the total burden ($6.2 billion), and nonviral STDs accounted for 6% of the total burden ($0.4 billion). HIV and HPV were by far the most costly STDs in terms of total estimated direct medical costs, accounting for 90% of the total burden ($5.9 billion). The large number of infections acquired by persons aged 15-24 and the high cost per case of viral STDs, particularly HIV, create a substantial economic burden.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Immigration in Spain

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a high priority problem on a global scale, with more than 330 million cases reported each year. 1 This is due both to their impact on the physical and mental health of sufferers, and to their repercussions on fertility, neoplasia, and transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since the middle of the 1990s, the European Union (EU) has experienced a significant and sustained increase in STDs, especially acute bacterial STDs, with increases focused among the youth population, ethnic minorities, and gay men. 2 But we find monitoring systems are highly heterogeneous and in general deficient when attempting to compare trends in the distribution of STD between countries. 3 Only the United Kingdom has a national network of STD centers whose statistics are integrated into national monitoring programs. In other EU countries, including Spain, information is based on a mixture of sentinel surveillance and compulsory notifications from clinics or laboratories without even a standard definition of cases. In Spain, epidemiological surveillance of STDs is undertaken nationally on a weekly basis with contributions from the autonomous communities under the system of diseases requiring obligatory declaration. This has estimated coverage of 50% of all cases diagnosed and uses most up to date microbiological information system to process data from 46 laboratories in 12 autonomous communities covering 25% of the population. 3 Despite underreporting, these systems have remained stable over time, and they are therefore sensitive to change. Thus, data collected in recent years show a clear increase in rates of notifiable STDs (though with a slight delay in relation to other EU countries), above all syphilis, which has shown an increase since 2003 (Figure 1). 4 However, as no population data is supplied, these systems do not allow for the identification of risk groups. Other valuable information is obtained through a network of free voluntary attendance STD centers, which provide more extensive information on STDs and associated syndromes (viral STDs, urethritis, cervicitis), as well as sociodemographic data and information on sexual behavior,

Sexually-transmitted viral diseases in women: clinical and epidemiological aspects and advances in laboratory diagnosis

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have long been known, but they have only recently been recognized as causes of significant long-term morbidity, mainly as a result of increased knowledge concerning viral STDs. The relationship of these diseases with conditions such as anogenital cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has made viral STDs an important issue in the healthcare of women and infants, and in reproductive health. The evolution of the AIDS pandemic is now characterized by growing differences between rich and poor nations. New diagnostic tools include rapid tests of blood, urine and saliva samples. New techniques, such as computerized cytology, have been developed for the diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV). Women infected with HIV are at a greater risk of being co-infected with HPV, and they are also more prone to the progression and persistence of HPV lesions. The herpes simplex virus presents high rates of co-infection with HIV, and it plays a particularly important role in increasing transmission rates of this virus.

A retrospective study of the pattern of sexually transmitted diseases during a ten-year period

Proper knowledge of the patterns of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in different geographical regions is necessary for evolving proper strategies for control of these diseases. To study the pattern of STDs and to analyze the changes during a ten-year period from 1990 among patients attending Medical College Hospital, Kottayam. Case records of 686 patients with STDs who attended the outpatient wing of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology were studied. There were 504 males and 182 females in the total of 686 patients. Marital contact alone was reported by 123 (67.6%) female patients. Genital ulcer diseases (GUDs) accounted for the maximum number of STDs, with 504 cases (73.5%), followed by condyloma acuminatum (17.5%) and gonorrhea (10.1%). Forty-three patients had multiple infections. The total number of patients during the first year of study was 129, while it was 41 during the last year. Bacterial STDs showed a striking reduction in numbers. The decline was less marked in the case of viral STDs. The majority of patients had genital ulcer diseases. Spouses were the most common source of infection for female patients. There was a marked decline in the number of patients with various STDs during the ten-year period. The decline was more evident in the bacterial STDs resulting in an apparent increase of the viral STDs towards the end of the period of study.

Frequency-dependent incidence in models of sexually transmitted diseases: portrayal of pair-based transmission and effects of illness on contact behaviour.

We explore the transmission process for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We derive the classical frequency-dependent incidence mechanistically from a pair-formation model, using an approximation that applies to populations with rapid pairing dynamics (such as core groups or non-pair-bonding animals). This mechanistic derivation provides a framework to assess how accurately frequency-dependent incidence portrays the pair-based transmission known to underlie STD dynamics. This accuracy depends strongly on the disease being studied: frequency-dependent formulations are more suitable for chronic less-transmissible infections than for transient highly transmissible infections. Our results thus support earlier proposals to divide STDs into these two functional classes, and we suggest guidelines to help assess under what conditions each class can be appropriately modelled using frequency-dependent incidence. We then extend the derivation to include situations where infected individuals exhibit altered pairing behaviour. For four cases of increasing behavioural complexity, analytic expressions are presented for the generalized frequency-dependent incidence rate, basic reproductive number (R0) and steady-state prevalence (i infinity) of an epidemic. The expression for R0 is identical for all cases, giving refined insights into determinants of invasibility of STDs. Potentially significant effects of infection-induced changes in contact behaviour are illustrated by simulating epidemics of bacterial and viral STDs. We discuss the application of our results to STDs (in humans and animals) and other infectious diseases.

The Estimated Direct Medical Cost of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among American Youth, 2000

CONTEXT: Each year, millions of U.S. youth acquire sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Estimates of the economic burden of STDs can help to quantify the impact of STDs on the nation's youth and on the payers of the cost of their medical care.METHODS: We synthesized the existing literature on STD costs to estimate the lifetime medical cost per case of eight major STDs–HIV, human papillomavirus (HPV), genital herpes simplex virus type 2, hepatitis B, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and syphilis. We then estimated the total burden of disease by multiplying these cost‐per‐case estimates by the approximate number of new cases of STDs acquired by youth aged 15–24.RESULTS: The total estimated burden of the nine million new cases of these STDs that occurred among 15–24‐yearolds in 2000 was $6.5 billion (in year 2000 dollars). Viral STDs accounted for 94% of the total burden ($6.2 billion), and nonviral STDs accounted for 6% of the total burden ($0.4 billion). HIV and HPV were by far the most costly STDs in terms of total estimated direct medical costs, accounting for 90% of the total burden ($5.9 billion).CONCLUSIONS: The large number of infections acquired by persons aged 15–24 and the high cost per case of viral STDs, particularly HIV, create a substantial economic burden.

Microbicides—evaluating multiple formulations of C31G

Despite a significant worldwide need for effective microbicides to reduce sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and HIV transmission, none is currently available. C31G, a surface active anti-infective agent that is active in vitro against bacterial and viral STD pathogens, was evaluated in a 3-day, once-daily dosing clinical trial designed to assess multiple formulations for safety and acceptance. The trial used a scoring algorithm that was based on relevant subject reported symptoms and signs observed at follow-up. Differences in tolerance and acceptability between the formulations were demonstrated, as was consistency with the results from a previous 7-day trial that involved two of the formulations (1.2% HEC gel, 2.0% N-9). The 1.0% C31G co-polymer gel was the best tolerated, most acceptable formulation, and will be advanced to longer, more comprehensive trials. Thus, formulation differences are relevant to microbicide tolerance and acceptability, and the 3-day trial design validated in this study can be used to assess formulations.

Where Do People Go for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

Major public health resources are devoted to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through public STD clinics. However, little is known about where people actually receive treatment for STDs. As part of the National Health and Social Life Survey, household interviews were performed from February to September 1992 with 3,432 persons aged 18-59. Weighted population estimates and multinomial response methods were used to describe the prevalence of self-reported STDs and patterns of treatment utilization by persons who ever had a bacterial or viral STD. An estimated two million STDs were self-reported in the previous year, and 22 million 18-59-year-olds self-reported lifetime STDs. Bacterial STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, nongonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease and syphilis) were more common than viral STDs (genital herpes, genital warts, hepatitis and HIV). Genital warts were the most commonly reported STD in the past year, while gonorrhea was the most common ever-reported STD. Almost half of all respondents who had ever had an STD had gone to a private practice for treatment (49%); in comparison, only 5% of respondents had sought treatment at an STD clinic. Respondents with a bacterial STD were seven times more likely to report going to an STD clinic than were respondents with a viral STD--except for chlamydia, which was more likely to be treated at family planning clinics. Men were significantly more likely than women to go to an STD clinic. Young, poor or black respondents were all more likely to use a family planning clinic for STD treatment than older, relatively wealthy or white respondents. Age, sexual history and geographic location did not predict particular types of treatment-seeking. The health care utilization patterns for STD treatment in the United States are complex. Specific disease diagnosis, gender, race and income status all affect where people will seek treatment. These factors need to be taken into account when STD prevention strategies are being developed.

Mortality related to sexually transmitted diseases in US women, 1973 through 1992.

This study estimated the trends in mortality related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their sequelae in US women from 1973 through 1992. The total number of deaths was obtained from US national mortality data and from AIDS surveillance data, and current literature was reviewed to estimate proportions of diseases attributable to sexual transmission. From 1973 through 1984, total STD-related deaths decreased 24%. However, from 1985 through 1992, STD-related deaths increased by 31%, primarily because of increasing numbers of deaths from sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The most important changes during the 20-year period were the emergence of and continued increase in the number of deaths related to hetero-sexually transmitted HIV. The leading causes of STD-related mortality in women, viral STDs and their sequelae, are generally not recognized as being sexually transmitted. Increases in STD-related mortality are primarily due to sexually transmitted HIV, which will soon surpass cervical cancer as the leading cause.

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major cause of death worldwide. Traditional laboratory methods of culture and serology are giving way to new DNA technologies, especially nucleic acid amplification. To date, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been the most widely used amplification method. Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) is a modification of this technique that allows for the detection of DNA from several bacterial and viral STD in a single test. Over the next 5 years, several M-PCR tests will be introduced, affording the clinical laboratory improved diagnostic capabilities.