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This article aims to review the term 'gay bowel syndrome', including the recent research looking at increased rates of bowel infections in men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly in light of the recent Shigella outbreaks in MSM in London and New York, and considers whether 'gay bowel syndrome' is a syndrome that really exists and is worthy of further research and specific treatment, or whether the term continues to be obsolete and not useful.Little or no recent research exists around the concept of a specific syndrome affecting the bowels of MSM. Rather, there seems to be a clustering of diseases in certain high-risk groups, especially those in urban areas with multiple sexual partners, recreational drug use, and possible concomitant HIV infection.All healthcare practitioners (including non-sexual health/HIV specialists) need to consider careful and thorough history taking (including sexual history) to identify those at risk.

Background/introduction Studies show that use of dating apps amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) is associated with an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. There is a paucity of research regarding the use of similar apps amongst the heterosexual population. Aim(s)/objectives To quantify heterosexual use of dating apps and explore the sexual practices of app users. Methods Anonymised questionnaires were offered to heterosexual attendees of two GUM clinics, throughout August 2015. Respondents self-completed information relating to purpose and frequency of app use, number of sexual partners, recreational drug use (RDU), condomless sex and STI diagnoses. Results Questionnaires were returned by 539 attendees: 70% (377) women, 30% (162) men. Median age was 21–30 years. Discussion A quarter of heterosexual GUM attendees frequent apps to find partners. This study identified high rates of STIs, condomless sex and RDU amongst app users, with rates mirroring those seen amongst MSM. Sexual health promotion and/or STI testing packages would be welcomed by most app users. Conclusion A quarter of heterosexual GUM attendees frequent apps to find partners. This study identified high rates of STIs, condomless sex and RDU amongst app users, with rates mirroring those seen amongst MSM. Sexual health promotion and/or STI testing packages would be welcomed by most app users.

Background/introduction The introduction of onsite Cepheid ® GeneXpert diagnostics for asymptomatic STI screens cut ‘test to treatment’ time by 190 h. Aim(s)/objectives To evaluate the Public Health benefit of faster treatment. Methods Patients with chlamydia (CT) and/or gonorrhoea (GC) over 8 weeks in February 2014 were retrospectively identified. We compared the timing of testing, treatment and number of recent sexual partners with a control group from November 2013. Assuming rate of partners remains unchanged, we calculated ‘partners spared’ exposure per infected patient due to faster treatment. Results 431 patients were identified with CT and/or GC infection. 81% (349/431) were MSM. Median age was 29 years. 23% of index patients disclosed high risk behaviour including fisting, chemsex and injecting drug use. Median ‘test to treatment’ time dropped from 238 h to 48 h. The number of partners spared exposure was 0.5 per index case. This equates to a total 196 partners spared exposure over the study period. Discussion/conclusion For every two people diagnosed with an infection, one partner was spared exposure. Limiting the duration of infectivity and the potential for onward transmission has clear public health benefits and is of particular value in this cohort with multiple partners who engage in high-risk behaviour.