title: Incidence of HCV and sexually transmitted diseases among hiv positive msm in antwerp, belgium, 2001-2011.
abstract: Recurrent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are an indication of unsafe sexual practices and may be associated with HCV-infection among HIV-positive men who have sex with men. In a retrospective study we analysed the laboratory data of 99 HIV-positive MSM who acquired HCV during the observation period (cases) and 176 HIV-positive MSM who remained HCV negative during the observation period (controls), all followed at the HIV/STI-clinic in Antwerp, Belgium. All laboratory confirmed STI-episodes were recorded since the date of first consultation at our clinic, until the date of HCV-diagnosis of the cases. The HCV incidence varied between 0.24 (2001) and 1.36 (2011) new cases per hundred person-years, with a peak of 2.93 new cases per hundred person-years in 2009. The number of STI-episodes per person-year follow-up was significantly higher for the cases as compared to the controls for syphilis, non-LGV and LGV Chlamydia infections (p < 0.005). When considering the incidence of STIs that occurred 1 year prior to HCV conversion, all laboratory confirmed STIs remained more frequent among cases, but only the difference in syphilis incidence was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Recurrent STIs among HIV positive MSM should be considered as a behavioural and biological risk factor for acquiring HCV and should lead to intensified screening for HCV and counselling of the patient.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Apers
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Koole
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bottieau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vandenbruaene
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ophoff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Esbroeck
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crucitti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Florence
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: HCV -; HIV -; MSM; STI -; co-infecton -