Document 0746
 DOCN  M9440746
 TI    Rectal spirochaetosis in homosexual men: the association with sexual
       practices, HIV infection and enteric flora.
 DT    9404
 AU    Law CL; Grierson JM; Stevens SM; Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital,
       Australia.
 SO    Genitourin Med. 1994 Feb;70(1):26-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94131452
 AB    OBJECTIVE--To determine the prevalence of rectal spirochaetosis in
       homosexual men attending a sexually transmissible diseases clinic and
       investigate the association between their presence and sexual practices,
       HIV infection and enteric flora. DESIGN--The study included 144 male
       homosexual subjects who each completed a questionnaire, underwent
       physical examination, proctoscopy and investigations for STD and HIV
       screening, rectal biopsies and collection of faecal samples.
       SETTING--The Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
       RESULTS--Spirochaetes were detected in 39% of the rectal biopsies, using
       histological criteria. Logistic regression analysis showed that rectal
       spirochaetosis was significantly associated with: oral-anal contact. (P
       < 0.05, OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.48-8.05); detection of 3-5 different
       non-pathogenic protozoa in faeces (P < 0.01, OR 11.68, 95% C.I. 2.33-58)
       and a positive HIV antibody test (P < 0.01) OR 4.48, 95% C.I.
       1.28-15.72). CONCLUSIONS--These findings indicate that rectal
       spirochaetosis is relatively common in homosexual men. The association
       with non-pathogenic protozoa is most likely attributable to the common
       mode of transmission viz oral-anal contact. However it is difficult to
       determine whether the association with HIV infection is cause or effect
       because of the limitations in the study design. Further information is
       required to determine the clinical significance of infection with these
       organisms.
 DE    Adult  Aged  Feces/MICROBIOLOGY  *Homosexuality  Human  HIV
       Infections/DIAGNOSIS  HIV Seropositivity  Male  Middle Age  Rectal
       Diseases/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  Rectum/MICROBIOLOGY  Risk Factors
       Sex Behavior  Spirochaetales Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).