Orogenital and anal infection by , , , and other sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men in Lisbon.

BACKGROUND

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but more data on extragenital carriage are needed.

AIM

We assessed the genital and extragenital prevalence of bacterial and other STIs in MSM in a Lisbon sexual health clinic.

METHODS

We screened oral, anal, and urine samples of MSM visiting the GAT-CheckpointLX clinic June 2017-December 2021 for (including lymphogranuloma venereum, LGV), , , , , , and . Ano-oro-genital lesions were tested for LGV, , and Herpes Simplex Virus. Blood was tested for HIV and antibodies.

RESULTS

was found in 16.6% of the MSM followed by (13.2%), (10.3%) and (0.2%). The most frequent occurrence was anorectal (, ) and oral (). We found high carriage of (36.1%) and (22.1%). LGV was detected in 21.8% of chlamydia-positive anorectal swabs. Syphilis was detected in 22.6% of tested MSM, while 13.8% had HIV. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia were significantly more prevalent in MSM with concomitant HIV or syphilis.

CONCLUSION

The substantial extragenital prevalence of bacterial STIs in MSM, and HIV and syphilis coinfections, suggest screening has value in identifying hidden carriage and in contributing for providing better care.