12 Dec Post Exposure Doxycycline in PReP Users May Reduce Risk of Syphilis and Chlamydiae
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Prof. Molina
Professor Jean-Michel Molina MD
Head of Department of Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Saint-Louis
Paris France
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: There is a high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Pre-exposure prophylaxis users and we wished to assess whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with doxycycline could reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in this population.
We have found indeed a high rate of STIs most of them (71%) being asymptomatic and warranting therefore systematic testing. Also PEP reduced the incidence of syphilis and chlamydiae infection by 70%, not for gonorrhea due to the high rate of detection in throat swabs without any impact of PEP.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: PrEp users should be tested every 2-3 months for STIs even when asymptomatic with urine, throat and anal swabs. This recommendation should apply to all people at risk with multiple sexual partners.
In the context of a short term study PEP with doxycycline was able to reduce the incidence of syphilis and chlamydia but the long term consequences of this strategy are yet unknown and more research is needed in particular regarding the emergence of antibiotic resistance before using this strategy.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: We should test other strategies to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: No disclosures – HIV/AIDS is a bridge to research in other field of medicine and STIs is now an issue we should address seriously.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline to prevent sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men: an open-label randomised substudy of the ANRS IPERGAY trial
Molina, Jean-MichelPintado, C. et al.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30725-9
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on December 12, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD