Prevalence and risk factors of bacterial enteric pathogens in men who have sex with men: A cross-sectional study at the UK's largest sexual health service.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Outbreaks of bacterial enteric pathogens (BEPs) in men who have sex with men (MSM) associated with antimicrobial resistance are a public health concern. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of BEPs in MSM to inform infection control.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study at a London sexual health clinic between 20/12/2017 and 06/02/2018. Residual rectal swabs from MSM attending for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing were anonymously tested for a range of BEPs using real-time PCR. A sub-set of samples were tested for the mphA gene (a marker of azithromycin resistance). Results were linked to electronic health records.

Results

BEPs were detected in 207 of 2116 participants, giving an overall prevalence of 9.8% (95% CI 8.5%-11.1%) r

SUBMITTER: Mitchell HD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10564623 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature