|
March News Briefs
CDC Presents New Analysis of Syphilis among MSM
(3.10.10) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) presented a new analysis at its 2010 National STD Prevention Conference
underscoring the disproportionate impact of HIV and syphilis among men who have
sex with men (MSM) in the United States. While CDC data have shown for years
that more than half of new HIV and syphilis infections are among gay and
bisexual men, new analyses allowed us to estimate the rate of these diseases
among the total U.S. population of MSM.
Based on a meta-analysis of nationally representative surveys, CDC estimated
that MSM comprise 4% of the U.S. male population or 2% of the overall U.S.
population aged 13 and older. The rate of new HIV diagnoses among MSM is between
44 and 86 times that of other men and between 40 and 77 times that of women. The
rate of primary and secondary syphilis among MSM is between 46 and 89 times that
of other men and between 71 and 135 times that of women. CDC’s press statement
containing more detailed information on this analysis is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/msmpressrelease.html .
CDC is in the process of developing breakdowns of MSM rates by race and age, and
is in the early planning stages of developing estimates for rates of HIV among
injection drug-users (IDU) and high-risk heterosexuals. These estimates will
inform our collective approach to HIV and STD prevention, ensuring that
resources, programs, and policies are reaching populations in greatest need of
services.
"Genital Herpes Virus Infects One in Six
Americans"
BusinessWeek , (03.09.2010) Tom Randall, Bloomberg News CDC NPIN Summary
A new CDC study finding the US genital herpes infection rate has remained
relatively level over a decade “serves as a stark reminder that herpes remains a
common and serious health threat,” said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the
agency’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.
The report was presented Tuesday at the 2010 National STD Prevention Conference
in Atlanta. The 2005-2008 data were from the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, a federal report that draws from medical records and blood
tests. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection rates in people ages 14-49
were examined.
HSV-2 prevalence in the United States declined from 17 percent in 1999-2004 to
16.2 percent in 2005-2008 - a decrease so small as to be “not statistically
significant,” CDC said.
Genital herpes, which can produce painful blisters near the genitals and raise
the risk for HIV transmission, infects one in six Americans, CDC said. Women and
African Americans are most likely to be infected.
The study found that blacks had a 39.2 percent infection rate, more than three
times that of whites. Almost half (48 percent) of African-American women were
infected with genital herpes. “We are particularly concerned about persistent
high rates of herpes among African-Americans, which is likely contributing to
disproportionate rates of HIV in the black community,” Fenton noted. Blacks have
higher poverty rates and more limited access to health care, including STD
treatment, the agency said.
CDC estimates that more than 80 percent of people with HSV-2 are unaware they
are infected. Those with the virus can transmit it to sex partners even when
they do not show symptoms. People who have herpes symptoms should seek testing,
CDC said. Patients should avoid sex during an outbreak and use condoms on a
consistent and correct basis with all sex partners. HSV-2 is an incurable
infection, though medications can help manage its symptoms and control
outbreaks.
To view CDC’s media release on the study, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/NCHHSTP/newsroom/hsv2pressrelease.html
CDC Data Brief: Viral Hepatitis
PDF Version 
(781 KB)
by Geraldine M. McQuillan, Ph.D; Deanna Kruszon-Moran,
M.S.; Maxine M. Denniston, M.S.P.H.; and Rosemarie
Hirsch, M.D., M.P.H.
Key findings
- The increase in hepatitis A antibody prevalence
among U.S. born persons aged 6–19 years and the
decrease in older age groups most likely reflects
increased immunity due to immunization in children
and the resulting decrease of viral exposure leading
to less natural infection in adults.
- Hepatitis B virus infection among persons aged
6–19 and 20–39 years has markedly decreased in
recent years as a result of vaccination efforts. By
2003–2006, over 90% of children had received at
least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine, reflecting
successful vaccination efforts.
- Prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus
is decreasing among those at the highest risk of
infection.
- The peak age of hepatitis C infection is
shifting to older age groups, which suggests that
the incidence of infection may be decreasing due to
prevention programs targeting risk behaviors.
Viral hepatitis is a disease of major public health
significance in the United States (1).
The three most important and pathogenic types are
hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV).
They are caused by unrelated viruses, but share similar
symptomatology and most people infected do not develop
clinical disease (2).
HBV and HCV can produce chronic infection that is
associated with chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
HCV is the most common chronic blood born infection in
the United States because 70–85% of those acutely
infected become chronically infected (3).
HAV vaccine has been recommended for travelers since
1995, children and others at risk since 2006 (4).
HBV vaccine has been recommended for infants since 1991,
older children and adolescents not previously
vaccinated, and adults at risk since the early 1980s (5,6).
No vaccine exists for HCV. Effective antiviral
treatments are available for HBV to halt progressive
liver damage (7)
and for HCV to achieve “sustained virologic response”.
See
February Archives |
New from
Journal Watch
Hepatitis for March 5, 2010
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE WATCH
Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are
Infected with Bloodborne Pathogens
March 3, 2010 |
Richard T. Ellison III, MD |
Infectious Diseases
This updated document provides guidance on
restricting the patient-care activities of such workers.
Reviewing: Henderson DK et al. Infect
Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010 Mar 31:203
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Tenofovir for Treatment-Experienced Patients
with Hepatitis B Virus Infection
February 19, 2010 |
Atif Zaman, MD, MPH |
Gastroenterology
Monotherapy was effective in patients who
failed previous therapy with lamivudine or adefovir.
Reviewing: van Bömmel F et al. Hepatology
2010 Jan 51:73
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Peginterferon Alfa-2a vs. Alfa-2b for
Hepatitis C
February 12, 2010 |
Atif Zaman, MD, MPH |
Gastroenterology
In two head-to-head trials, peginterferon
alfa-2a regimens provided higher rates of sustained virologic response.
Reviewing: Rumi MG et al.
Gastroenterology 2010 Jan 138:108
Ascione A et al. Gastroenterology
2010 Jan 138:116
See February archives
|
