All articles tagged with #gbmsm
Shigella, a gut pathogen causing diarrhea, is increasingly spreading through sexual contact in the US and UK, particularly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. This shift has led to a surge in extensively drug-resistant strains, making infections harder to treat and leading to more hospitalizations.
A Cambridge-led study of UK Shigella cases (2004–2020) shows sexually transmitted strains, concentrated among GBMSM, spreading more than twice as fast and becoming antibiotic-resistant much faster than non-sexually transmitted ones. About 70% of sexually transmitted strains resist at least one antibiotic, underscoring the need for targeted surveillance, tailored prevention, and different treatment approaches beyond standard hygiene advice.
Combination prevention strategies, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), increased HIV testing, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation at diagnosis, have contributed to a decline in new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United Kingdom. However, further improvements are needed to meet the projected reduction goals for 2025 and 2030. Enhanced testing and ART provision can help further reduce HIV incidence, but cost reduction for testing and PrEP is necessary. The study highlights the importance of maintaining and expanding current interventions while addressing affordability to achieve the desired HIV reduction targets.