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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV transmission, but uptake and adherence among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) remains suboptimal. New PrEP formulations may enhance PrEP use, but little is known about their acceptability. We enrolled 39 cis- and transgender YMSM (age 18–34) from Boston, MA; Jackson, MS; Birmingham, AL; and New Orleans, LA, who participated in video-based focus groups (n = 30) or in-depth interviews (n = 9) to examine how new PrEP products (e.g., injections, monthly pills, implants) are perceived and might be improved for YMSM. Focus groups were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using grounded theory and content analysis. Nearly half (46%) of participants were Black; 11% identified as Hispanic. Seventy-nine percent were PrEP experienced. Product preference was driven by the desire for flexible, safe, effective, and affordable PrEP options. A majority of participants preferred subcutaneous injections every 6 months or monthly pills dispersed in 3 or 4 doses. Subcutaneous injections and batched monthly pills were favored by those with demanding schedules and those who desired fewer provider visits; monthly pills were more appealing for those who feared needles. Despite broad preferences for longer-acting products for convenience, participants raised concerns regarding side effects and waning protection after missed doses. Participants felt that more education about safety and efficacy profiles of new products could influence their attitudes. These findings suggest that it is important to prioritize YMSM's dynamic lifestyles during product development, and that product safety and efficacy information should be accessible in youth-friendly language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an unmet need for HIV prevention among Black cisgender women. From January to November 2020, we conducted formative research to develop locally informed implementation strategies to enhance pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among Black cisgender women in New Orleans, Louisiana. Following an iterative process, we conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with Black women who were not taking PrEP and used those findings to inform IDIs with Black women taking PrEP. We asked about PrEP awareness, social support, PrEP-related norms, medical mistrust, motivation to take PrEP, and potential implementation strategies. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. We established the Black Women and PrEP (BWAP) Task Force—a diverse group of 25 Black female community representatives who reviewed the IDI findings and identified strategies to address these determinants of PrEP uptake. We interviewed 12 Black women who were not taking PrEP and 13 Black women who were taking PrEP. Two main PrEP uptake barriers were identified from the IDI findings and Task Force discussions. First, Black women do not know of other Black women taking PrEP. Women perceived PrEP as a drug for gay men. Most said that testimonials from Black women taking PrEP would make its use more relatable. Second, Black women are not frequently offered PrEP by their providers. Many preferred accessing PrEP through women's health providers. The Task Force identified two strategies to address these barriers: a social media campaign for women and an educational initiative to train providers to discuss and prescribe PrEP. These implementation strategies require further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mycoplasma genitalium has been significantly and nonsignificantly associated with cervicitis, urethritis, or vaginal discharge. This study examined the associations of M. genitalium with selected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors among women attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in New Orleans. Methods Women aged ≥18 years who presented to the New Orleans STD clinic provided sociodemographic data and sexual behavior; STI, obstetric, and gynecologic history; and urine, vaginal, endocervical, and rectal specimens. Specimens were tested for M. genitalium , Chlamydia trachomatis , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Trichomonas vaginalis , Mycoplasma hominis , Ureaplasma species, and yeast. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was diagnosed by Nugent score, and cervicitis was defined as ≥30 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power microscopic field on a cervical Gram stain or yellow mucopus on an endocervical swab. Results Among 400 women studied, M. genitalium was independently significantly associated with age <25 years (P <.03) and with ≥2 sexual partners in the last 12 months (P <.003). Neisseria gonorrhoeae (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.75; P =.103), C. trachomatis (AOR, 1.43; P =.247), and T. vaginalis (AOR, 1.60; P =.120) independently increased the odds of infection with M. genitalium. Controlling for other STIs and BV, there was a positive trend for M. genitalium to predict cervicitis (AOR, 3.18 [95% confidence interval,.99–10.2]; P =.05). Conclusions Mycoplasma genitalium in our study displayed the clinical features of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae , the 2 organisms that drive research agendas in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bacterial STIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022 outbreak of mpox in Louisiana was limited to just >300 cases, perhaps an unexpected outcome given the state's high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We aimed to describe the local outbreak within two health centers in the New Orleans region, partnering with the Louisiana Department of Health to offer additional statewide data. We reviewed charts of persons testing positive for mpox in New Orleans from July to November 2022 at two local health centers that together accounted for half of local cases. We abstracted data on HIV status, immune function [CD4 count, viral load (VL)], antiretroviral therapy regimen, symptoms and severity of infection, vaccination status, and whether tecovirimat was administered. We present local data relative to statewide data (July 2022-January 2023). Of 103 individuals in our network for whom charts were reviewed, 96 (93%) identified as male, 52 (50%) were Black, and 69 (67%) had HIV, including 12 (17%) with uncontrolled HIV (CD4 < 200 cells/mm 3 or VL >200 copies/mL). The most common presenting symptoms were rash ( n  = 71, 69%), fever ( n  = 36, 35%), and rectal pain ( n  = 33, 32%). Of six (6%) patients hospitalized, four (67%) were persons with HIV (PWH). Two were hospitalized for severe mpox infection with >100 lesions at presentation; both were PWH, and one had uncontrolled infection. Across the state, 307 cases have been identified and 24 have been hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 18 (75%) were PWH, including 9 (50%) with uncontrolled HIV. The demographic data from Louisiana, a state with high prevalence of STIs and HIV/AIDS, are consistent with prior reports describing the 2022 mpox outbreak. Our results contribute to accumulating data on the severity of infection in individuals with HIV-related immunocompromise.

Streptococcus pneumoniae-associated infections are an important cause of hospitalization and mortality in high-risk and elderly patients. Even in the setting of appropriate therapy, the case fatality rate of invasive pneumococcal disease in the elderly may approach 40%. Since approximately 40,000 people die annually from pneumococcal-associated disease, it represents a substantial target for vaccine-preventable, bacterial fatalities. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine has proven consistently effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease. Despite its endorsement by numerous specialty societies, the pneumococcal vaccine is underutilized in the inpatient setting. In a recent report of quality indicators for Medicare beneficiaries, the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana admitted with pneumonia who were screened or received the pneumococcal vaccination prior to discharge was only 4%, the lowest percentage in the United States. The Louisiana State University-New Orleans Internal Medicine Department and its house staff embarked upon a retrospective study to determine its baseline pneumococcal vaccination or screening rates for all patients with pneumonia on its inpatient services at the The Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans from July 2000 through June 2001. From July 2001 through June 2002 an intensive educational intervention concentrating on the indications and benefits of pneumococcal vaccination was directed toward the Louisiana State University Internal Medicine house staff assigned to the inpatient service. Retrospective analysis for pneumococcal vaccine screening and administration of charts of all patients with pneumonia on the LSU Medicine service from July 2001 through June 2002 was performed in order to determine the effects of the intervention. Data from the pre-educational intervention period revealed a baseline pneumococcal vaccine screening or administration rate of 11% for all patients with pneumonia on the LSU Internal Medicine inpatient service. During the one-year intervention period, the pneumococcal vaccine screening or administration rate increased to 71%, a clinically and statistically significant increase (p-value < 0.0001). Data targeting patients 65 years of age and older revealed a baseline pneumococcal vaccine screening or administration rate of 10% for patients with pneumonia on the LSU Internal Medicine inpatient service which increased to 82% during the one year educational intervention (p-value < 0.0001). House officer scores (possible range 0-100) on a questionnaire assessing their understanding of the indications and benefits of pneumococcal vaccination were significantly higher after the educational intervention compared to before the intervention (means +/- standard deviations, 68 +/- 9 vs. 59 +/- 10, p < 0.0001). The findings from this study highlight the importance of education in increasing compliance with widely-accepted practice guidelines such as pneumococcal vaccine screening or administration in patients hospitalized with pneumonia.