Concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sex partners of patients with selected STIs: implications for patient-delivered partner therapy.
BACKGROUND
Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) is the practice of providing disease-specific antimicrobial agents to patients for delivery to their sex partners. Some partners who receive PDPT may forgo clinical evaluation, resulting in missed opportunities for the diagnosis and treatment of comorbid conditions.


METHODS
We conducted a review of electronic charts for 8623 individuals attending 4 sexually transmitted disease clinics who were sex partners of patients with selected sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We evaluated the concordance between STIs diagnosed in partners and their reported exposures for which they might have received PDPT.


RESULTS
Among 3503 female and 4647 heterosexual male partners, 19 (0.4%) of 4716 individuals tested were newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and 61 individuals (0.7%) had syphilis. Pelvic inflammatory disease was diagnosed in 133 women (3.8%). Seventy-two (3.2%) of 2226 female and heterosexual male partners reporting exposure to patients with chlamydial infection had gonorrhea diagnosed. Chlamydial infection or gonorrhea was diagnosed in 81 heterosexual male partners (10.3%) who reported contact with women with trichomoniasis. Among 473 men who have sex with men (MSM; including bisexual men), 13 (6.3%) of 207 tested were newly diagnosed with HIV infection, and 8 (1.7%) had syphilis. Six (6.1%) of 98 MSM reporting exposure to patients with chlamydial infection had gonorrhea diagnosed.


CONCLUSIONS
Infrequent coinfections in female and heterosexual male partners exposed to patients with chlamydial infection or gonorrhea would not preclude use of PDPT. However, PDPT for male partners of women with trichomoniasis and for MSM requires further study.
Stekler
Joanne
J
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Bachmann
Laura
L
Brotman
Rebecca M
RM
Erbelding
Emily J
EJ
Lloyd
Laura V
LV
Rietmeijer
Cornelis A
CA
Handsfield
H Hunter
HH
Holmes
King K
KK
Golden
Matthew R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016358:Contact Tracing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents