Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F C Boag.
The clinical value of aciclovir, oral or topical, in the episodic treatment of recurrent herpes virus infection is limited. Betadine (povidone-iodine) could provide a cheap, effective alternative for managing symptomatic recurrences. We describe a case where povidone-iodine was used successfully to treat a recurrence of genital herpes simplex and review the literature supporting povidone-iodine in the treatment of genital tract infections.
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Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a cause of significant morbidity in many women of a childbearing age worldwide. There is a paucity of literature on the prevalence of this condition in postmenopausal women, although it is believed to be uncommon because of the estrogen dependence of VVC. Postmenopausal women who have underlying risk factors for VVC (e.g. hormone replacement therapy, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression caused by medication or disease) may be at risk of chronic or recurrent VVC. However, as in younger women, it is likely that, even after exhaustive investigations, no cause will be found in a significant number of patients. The investigation and treatment of VVC in older women should be the same as that undertaken in younger women. Both topical and oral preparations are available, but oral regimens are perhaps more acceptable because of the ease of administration and avoidance of potentially messy creams and suppositories. Ketoconazole at a dosage of 400 mg daily for 14 days can be used to achieve clinical remission of symptoms and negative fungal cultures. Induction treatment should be followed by maintenance therapy for 6 months with ketoconazole 100 mg daily, itraconazole 50 to 100 mg daily or fluconazole 100 mg weekly or 150 mg monthly. Short courses of topical therapy, e.g. 500 mg clotrimazole pessaries as a single weekly dose for 6 months or 100mg miconazole pessaries twice weekly for 3 months, followed by once weekly for 3 months may also be used.
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The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients requesting emergency postcoital contraception at a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. We also compared the quality of information obtained during the consultation, before and after a proforma was introduced. A retrospective review of all clinical notes of patients who attended for postcoital contraception between January and December 1994 and April to June 1995 was performed. Eighty-three per cent of patients were aged 17-29 years, 68.8% were in relationship, 41.3% were not using regular contraception, 33.8% accepted a sexual health screen and of these, 14.8% had a concurrent sexually transmitted disease (STD). The introduction of a consultation proforma significantly improved certain areas of the consultation. The results suggest that sexual health screens should be encouraged in women attending GUM clinics for postcoital contraception and that the use of a proforma improves the quality of information obtained.
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OBJECTIVES: To assess, in men who were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who identified themselves as having had sex with men; the nasopharyngeal prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N meningitidis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and candida species; oral sexual behaviour; the relation between oral flora and oral sexual behavior. METHOD: Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from HIV seropositive men for culture. The men were also asked to complete a self administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 390 men were recruited; 286 (73.3%) provided nasopharyngeal samples and questionnaires; 41 (10.5%) provided nasopharyngeal samples only; 63 (16.2%) provided questionnaires only. From the 327 nasopharyngeal samples N meningitidis was cultured in 49 (15%) and candida species in 165 (50.5%). Cultures for N gonorrhoeae and C diphtheriae were all negative. Data from the 349 completed questionnaires indicated that 285 men were practising oro-penile sex, over 90% did not consistently use condoms; 150 men were practising oro-anal sex, one used dental dams. In those providing both nasopharyngeal samples and sexual behaviour data meningococcal carriage was identified in 40 (17.5%) of the 228 men practising receptive oro-penile sex, compared with one (2.3%) of the 43 non-practisers (p < 0.025); in 21 (20%) of the 105 men practising insertive oro-anal sex, compared with 17 (12.5%) of the 136 non-practisers (p = 0.12). No correlation was identified between yeast carriage and oro-genital sex. CONCLUSION: Oro-genital sex, usually without barrier protection, is common among HIV infected men who have sex with men. It appears to be associated with increased meningococcal carriage but is autonomous to candida species isolation. Routine screening for nasopharyngeal N gonorrhoeae is not deemed necessary.
We aimed to investigate clinical practice in the offering of HIV tests and subsequent uptake in a central London genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. A random sample (n = 330) of attenders at 3 inner-London GUM departments was surveyed. Reasons for and rates of offering of HIV tests were recorded and analysed in relation to demographic, risk group information and uptake. The results were integrated with the latest unlinked, anonymous seroprevalence data for the clinic. After exclusion of patients known to be HIV-positive or to have recently undergone HIV testing, HIV tests were offered to 96% of homo/bisexual men, 55% of heterosexual men and 60% of heterosexual women. Comparison with anonymous HIV seroprevalence data showed an inverse relationship between seroprevalence rates for heterosexual men/women (2.5% vs 1%) and rates of HIV test offering. A lack of research into the policy of offering HIV tests may have resulted in inconsistencies in practice. An evidence based policy should offer HIV tests in line with seroprevalence.
In view of the recent vogue in some genitourinary medicine (GUM) units towards selective microscopy we aimed to assess the adequacy of culture plate inoculation in our own GUM clinic by the visual examination of 350 consecutively inoculated plates. Seventy-five (21%) plates were inoculated so lightly that no indentation in the agar could be seen whilst in 20 (60%) the agar was shredded. Eighty-five per cent of inadequately plated samples were inoculated by the same staff members who were either relatively inexperienced, or well-distanced from their last in-service training. This has many important implications not only in the identification and control of infection but also with respect to staff training. We have now introduced practical plating instruction for all new members of clinical staff and additional in-service training. We plan to repeat the audit in 6 months' time to assess the effect of these changes.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an integrated family planning clinic (FPC) established by genitourinary medicine (GUM) staff held within a GUM women-only clinic (WOC). DESIGN: A retrospective case note review of women attending the FPC during the first year January-December 1992. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen women, aged 13-41 years, attended the FPC; 45 were new attenders, six had previously tested antibody positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), seven were intravenous drug users; 54% had a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD); 17.7% were using no contraception; 32.7% had previous termination of pregnancy (TOP) with 70 TOPs in total. Within three months of FPC attendance 89 (78.8%) women had genital STD screening performed; syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B serology, together with cervical cytology were performed in 77, 18, 13 and 62 women respectively. Infections identified were similar to those identified in the GUM clinic but the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in diagnosed infections was commoner in FPC attenders and epidemiological treatment commoner in GUM attenders. No high grade cytology abnormalities were detected. No positive syphilis or new HIV positive results were identified; five women were found to be hepatitis B surface antibody positive. Contraception was changed in 60.8%. Most frequently supplied was the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). At the first FPC attendance six women required post coital contraception (PCC) and five were already pregnant, three suspected it, two were unaware. During the year three women conceived; two used COCP, but were non compliant; one used a diaphragm with unclear compliance. Seven of the eight pregnancies were terminated. Over the following year, 1992-93, contraception was supplied to 42 women; four required PCC; two intentional pregnancies occurred. Only one of the TOP women returned. CONCLUSION: An integrated FPC provides co-ordinated sexual health care. Pregnancy, TOP and FPC re-attendance rates together with improvement strategies are discussed. Avoiding unwanted pregnancy remains a universal challenge.
We report a non-randomized Phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in the treatment of AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma. Eleven homosexual men with advanced Kaposi's sarcoma were entered in the trial. Changes in size, colour and associated oedema of selected 'target' lesions were measured. Clinical, biochemical and haematological toxicities were assessed. Ten subjects were evaluated. A partial response was achieved in four, of whom two subsequently relapsed. Stabilization of Kaposi's sarcoma occurred in the remaining six, maintained until the end of the trial period in four. The drug was generally well tolerated, with few mild symptoms of toxicity. The main problem encountered was haematological toxicity, with three subjects experiencing severe neutropenia (neutrophil count < 0.5 x 10(9)/l). There was no evidence of cardiotoxicity. In this small patient sample, liposomal daunorubicin was an effective and well tolerated agent in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma.
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