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Mpox is caused by infection with monkeypox vi rus (MPXV). Phylogenomically and clinically, clades I and II can be distinguished; clade II has 2 subcodes, Ha and IIb (1). In [...]

Our colleagues Tassi et al. submitted a Letter to the Editor regarding our recent paper on the spatio‐temporal changes in pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among men who have sex with [...]

Introduction: Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) are key to eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV). In men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV co‐infection, recently acquired HCV infection is common. Sexual practices and reinfection rates may hamper micro‐elimination despite high treatment rates. Methods: The cohort included MSM with recently acquired HCV infection from 2014 to 2021. The patients' demographic, clinical, behavioural, and laboratory data and treatment and reinfection outcomes were documented. Results: A total of 237 men with recently acquired HCV infection were included: 216 (91%) had HIV. The median age was 46 years (interquartile range [IQR] 39–52), and the median CD4 count was 660/mm3 (IQR 527–835). The annual incidence of recently acquired HCV remained between 0.28% and 0.43% but dropped to 0.02% in 2021 during the COVID pandemic, almost reaching micro‐elimination. The reinfection incidence was 15.5 per 100 patient‐years (95% confidence interval 12.6–18.8), and reinfection was associated with the use of crystal methamphetamine (p = 0.032) and ketamine (p = 0.042). In total, 31.3% had multiple reinfections, and four reinfections occurred in users of pre‐exposure prophylaxis. Conclusions: High treatment and cure rates did not lead to HCV elimination. A change in sexual behaviour, potentially imposed by COVID‐19 restrictions, led to micro‐elimination in the NoCo cohort. As recently acquired HCV is prevalent in MSM with and without HIV, surveillance is necessary to consolidate elimination goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a recent outbreak of monkeypox caused by clade IIb of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), which led to a global public health emergency declared by the WHO in 2022. It mentions despite a decline in reported cases since the emergency ended in 2023, sporadic instances like the case of a man in Berlin with MPXV highlight ongoing challenges in diagnosis and surveillance, particularly in regions with limited recent exposure and low vaccination rates against MPXV.

: Introduction: The population of men‐who‐have‐sex‐with‐men (MSM) includes people who are on the masculine spectrum but were assigned female at birth (AFAB), that is trans MSM. This study aims to identify current circumstances regarding sexual happiness and safety among German trans MSM. To date, there is no health information about trans MSM in Germany, limiting the ability of MSM sexual health programmes to meet their needs. Methods: Data were used from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS‐2017), where people identifying as men and/or trans men were recruited through dating apps for MSM, community websites and social media to participate in an online survey. We analysed parameters on sexual happiness and satisfaction with sexual safety among Germany‐based trans MSM and compared those to outcomes of MSM assigned male at birth (cis MSM) living in Germany using descriptive methods and logistic regression models adjusting for age. Results: In total, 23,001 participants from Germany were included, of which 122 (0.5%) indicated to be AFAB (i.e. trans MSM). Trans MSM were markedly younger than cis participants (median age: 28.5 vs. 39 years). Trans MSM more often reported being unhappy with their current sex life (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.82, 95% CI 1.24–2.67), had higher odds of disagreeing with the statements “the sex I have is always as safe as I want” ([aOR] = 1.82, 95% CI 1.24–2.67) and “I find it easy to say no to sex that I don't want” ([aOR] = 1.80, 95% CI 1.18–2.77). Trans MSM were more likely to not be living comfortably financially ([aOR] = 2.43, 95% CI 1.60–3.67) and to be living with severe anxiety and/or depression ([aOR] = 3.90, 95% CI 2.22–6.83). Trans MSM were less likely to have ever tested for HIV ([aOR] = 0.63, 95% CI 0.43–0.93). Conclusions: Sexual happiness, control of sexual boundaries, satisfaction with sexual safety, financial security, mental wellbeing and HIV testing were all lower in German trans MSM compared with cis MSM. Tailored sexual health interventions, contextualized with regard to needs and vulnerabilities, could address this inequality., INTRODUCTION In the past 5 years, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and research among men‐who‐have‐sex‐with‐men (MSM) has increasingly included transmasculine people. Yet, little is known about individuals who are on [...]

To prevent hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection, within the Swiss HCVree Trial, a preventive risk reduction intervention was implemented alongside curative treatment. Formative qualitative research identified three response patterns to the intervention. This mixed-methods study's aim was to cross-validate group differences in (a) the content of sexual risk reduction goals set during intervention and (b) the extent of their behavioural change in condomless anal intercourse with non-steady partners (nsCAI), sexualised and intravenous drug use at start and six-month post-intervention. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to summarise goal setting domains. Quantitative descriptive analysis was used to evaluate group differences based on assumptions of the group descriptions. Results largely confirmed assumptions on inter-group response differences in goal setting and behaviour: as expected group 1 Avoid risks showed the lowest HCV risk profile with changes in nsCAI. Group 2 Minimize-risks and Group 3 Accept-risks showed unchanged nsCAI. Group 3 had the highest HCV risk profile. Differences in their goal preferences (1: condom use; 2 reduction blood exposure; 3 safer dating) highlight diversity in attitudes to behavioural change. Our results improve understanding of variability in intervention responses such as changes in attitudes and behaviour. This provides evidence for intervention tailoring and outcome measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our objective was to obtain long‐term data on the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their association with behavioural factors after widespread pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation. Methods: This was a time‐to‐event analysis of a national PrEP cohort in Switzerland (SwissPrEPared study). Participants were people without HIV interested in taking PrEP with at least two STI screening visits. Primary outcomes were incidence rate of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The association between behavioural factors and STI diagnosis was expressed using hazard ratios. We adjusted for testing frequency and calendar year. Results: This analysis included 3907 participants enrolled between April 2019 and April 2022, yielding 3815.7 person‐years of follow‐up for gonorrhoea (15 134 screenings), 3802.5 for chlamydia (15 141 screenings), and 3858.6 for syphilis (15 001 screenings). The median age was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR] 32–47), 93.8% (n = 3664) identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). The incidence was 22.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.3–24.4) per 100 person‐years for gonorrhoea, 26.3 (95% CI 24.7–28.0) for chlamydia, and 4.4 (95% CI 3.8–5.1) for syphilis. Yearly incidence rates decreased between 2019 (all bacterial STIs: 81.6; 95% CI 59.1–109.9) and 2022 (all bacterial STIs: 49.8; 95% CI 44.6–55.3). Participants reporting chemsex substance use were at higher risk of incident STIs, as were those reporting multiple sexual partners. Younger age was associated with a higher risk of gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Conclusions: Incidence rates of bacterial STIs decreased over time. Young MSM, those with multiple partners, and those using chemsex substances were at increased risk of STIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]