title: Lower sexually transmissible infection prevalence among lifetime exclusive women who have sex with women compared with women who have sex with women and men.
abstract: Background Sexually transmissible infection (STI) history, prevalence and seroprevalence among lifetime exclusive women who have sex with women (WSW) and an age-matched group of women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a study questionnaire and had genital specimens and sera collected for STI testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one lifetime exclusive WSW and 42 WSWM were included. WSWM were more likely to report a history of prior STIs and be seropositive for chlamydia and HSV-2. Prevalent STIs were less common among WSW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While lifetime exclusive WSW are at risk of contracting STIs, WSWM are disproportionally affected. Healthcare providers should consider routine STI screening among WSW.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, ZRB 242, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Muzny
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, ZRB 242, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kapil
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, ZRB 242, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors.forename: Erika L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, ZRB 242, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors.forename: Edward W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Hook
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, ZRB 242, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Geisler