Findings from data pertaining to 16,864 gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests done on individuals visiting three HIV Research Network locations spanning 2011-2014, suggested that females and males who indulge in sexual intercourse only with women (MSW) should be screened based on age and not universally, as reported by Susan A. Tuddenham, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

 “Detection and treatment of gonorrhea and chlamydia in HIV-positive patients in the United States is a priority both because of patient morbidity and because of the potential for these infections to enhance transmission of HIV,” said Dr. Tuddenham.

Their findings were showcased at a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conference on STD prevention.

Dr. Tuddenham and her colleagues calculated the number needed to screen (NNS) by dividing the number of individuals tested by number of individuals who tested positive for three risk sections including age and urogenital, extragenital (pharyngeal and rectal) sampling.  

Relying on urogenital screening, they found that NNS was alike in the three groups for people aged 25 years or below. Above 25 years, urogenital NNS jumped to 363 in women. The rise in NNS was just up to 46 in men who have sex with men (MSM) over 25 years of age.

The extragenital screenings of women and MSW were inadequate to analyse. The rectal NNS was 5 and 10 for men 25 years and below and those above age 25 years respectively, and pharyngeal NNS was 8 and 20 for the two sects, respectively for MSM.

“Our results provide some support for age-based screening cutoffs for women and MSW, with universal screening appropriate for those less than or equal to 25 years of age, and targeted screening for those over 25,” said Dr. Tuddenham.