HIV/STI co-infections, syphilis incidence, and hepatitis B vaccination: the Buenos Aires cohort of men who have sex with men

AIDS Care. 2010 Dec;22(12):1459-65. doi: 10.1080/09540121003758556.

Abstract

In a previous cohort study among 327 men who have sex with men (MSM) in Buenos Aires, an HIV incidence rate of 3.9 per 100 persons-year was reported. Using data from this study, we determined: (a) HIV/STI co-infections; (b) clinical manifestations of incident HIV infections; (c) syphilis incidence and its associated risk factors; and (d) adherence and immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. During the cohort study, 12 incident HIV infections were found. Within this group, HIV infection alone was most frequent (42%), followed by co-infection of HIV/HBV (33%), and triple co-infection of HIV/HBV/syphilis (25%). The most frequent clinical manifestations among incident HIV cases were: pharyngitis, fever, lymphadenopathy, asthenia, and myalgia. Seven new syphilis infections were detected yielding an incidence rate of 2.4 (95% CI=1.07 - 4.73) per 100 persons-year. Sex work was the only significant risk factor associated with syphilis seroconversion (hazard rate=10.93, p-value=0.033). Only 7% of cohort participants reported having received HBV vaccine. Ninety-percent of the 204 cohort members who agreed to be vaccinated completed the HBV vaccination schedule with an immune response rate of 85%. Our findings suggest the need to increase the access to serologic testing for STI and HBV immunization, as well as the developing of effective HIV/STI behavioral and educational prevention programs among MSM in Buenos Aires.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Sexual Partners
  • Syphilis / complications
  • Syphilis / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Vaccines