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Biomedical subjects

H Moi

Publications and source records attributed to H Moi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

An international study of the interobserver variation between interpretations of vaginal smear criteria of bacterial vaginosis.

An international workshop on vaginal smear-based diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was organized where 13 investigators scoring 258 slides with smears from vaginal fluid. Interobserver reproducibility of interpretations of Nugent scores, Hay/Ison scores and wet smear scores for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis was shown to be high. Detailed analysis of individual scoring results however indicated that basic standards of quality control to ensure robust individual readings of slides must be adhered to.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2001

Gender differences in syringe exchange program use in Oslo, Norway.

AIMS: To examine gender differences in syringe exchange program (SEP) use, particularly frequent SEP use, within and across survey years. DESIGN: Three consecutive, anonymous cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: The SEP in Oslo, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and eighty-eight, 449 and 523 SEP participants interviewed during comparable 1-week periods in 1992, 1994 and 1997, respectively. MEASUREMENTS: Brief structured questionnaires assessed SEP use, HIV risk behaviors and self-reported HIV status. Chi square statistics, t-tests and analysis of variance were used to identify gender differences; logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates of frequent SEP use. FINDINGS: Women reported injecting more frequently than men, but neither reported more frequent SEP use nor acquiring more syringes during an exchange. Although syringe sharing decreased significantly over time, in 1997, 51% of SEP participants continued to share. HIV prevalence remained low (3-5%) over time. After controlling for gender, age and HIV risk factors, frequent SEP use was significantly correlated with frequent injection for both women (OR = 1.4) and men (OR = 1.5). A lack of income or benefits independently increased the likelihood of being a frequent SEP user (OR = 3.0), while having shared a syringe at last injection independently decreased this likelihood (OR = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Gender was not associated with frequent SEP use; rather, the single most important correlate of frequent SEP use was injection frequency. Women's need for sterile syringes may not be fully addressed, despite the existence of a well-established and well-utilized SEP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Care of sexually transmitted infections in the Nordic countries.

This article presents an overview of the epidemiology and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Nordic countries. These countries have succeeded in controlling gonorrhoea and syphilis, and the incidence of HIV infection is low. However, during the last few years the incidence of all STIs has increased, although from very low levels. Genital chlamydial infection is still prevalent, and is also increasing. Dermatovenereologists are responsible for the specialized care of STIs, but family doctors and gynaecologists are responsible for the management of a great portion of STIs.

Chancroid↗
PubMed1998

[Gonorrhea caused by fluoroquinolone resistant gonococci].

We describe a case of 4-fluoroquinolone resistant gonorrhoea where treatment failed on several occasions and where there may have been reinfections. Since 1995 peroral single dose 4-fluoroquinolones have been recommended as first preference treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhoea in Norway. However, Neisseria gonorrhoeae has a high ability to create resistance, and the emergence of 4-fluoroquinolone resistant strains is causing worldwide concern. An increasing number of 4-fluoroquinolone resistant gonococcal strains have also been observed in Norway, and the number of failures in the recommended treatment regime are increasing. It is proposed that 4-fluoroquinolone resistant strains be reported nationally.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors for HPV infection in women from sexually transmitted disease clinics: comparison between two areas with different cervical cancer incidence.

We have compared risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in very sexually active women [attenders of clinics for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)] living in 2 areas with a 4-fold difference in cervical cancer incidence, i.e., Greenland and Denmark. The results were compared with findings of HPV infection in men attending the STD clinics during the same period. Overall, 204 Greenlandic women (GW), 187 Danish women (DW), 103 Greenlandic men and 216 Danish men were included. A similar age distribution was found in the 2 female populations. The GW reported significantly more sexual partners, earlier first intercourse and more STDs, but HPV was less frequently detected in the GW (25%) than in the DW (35%). However, this could be explained by a difference in the age pattern of HPV prevalence seen in the 2 areas. In each geographical area, the age pattern of HPV prevalence in men was very similar to that seen in women. The most important risk factors for HPV detection were the same in both female populations, i.e., age, years since first sexual intercourse and number of partners in the last years. In conclusion, the pattern of risk factors for HPV infection was the same in STD women from a high-risk area and a low-risk area for cervical cancer. Our results also show that the use of an overall HPV prevalence for comparing populations is meaningless, even in populations with similar age distribution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Occurrence of bacterial vaginosis among abortion seekers].

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection during the fertile period. The clinical diagnosis is based on three of Amsel's four criteria: thin, grey-white discharge, vaginal fluid pH above 4.5, a fishy odour on addition of 10% potassium hydroxide solution to the vaginal fluid, and the presence of clue cells on a saline wet mount. A probably more sensitive indicator of the diagnosis is based on Gram-stain, where the normal lactobacillus-dominated vaginal flora is changed to the lactobacillus deficient flora of bacterial vaginosis. The condition is probably associated with higher risk of complications in connection with pregnancy and gynaecological surgery. A prospective study of bacterial vaginosis based on microscopy of Gram-stained smears was conducted among 168 women applying for first trimester abortion. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 24% and of Chlamydia trachomatis 8.4%. Four patients (10.3%) in the vaginosis group were treated with antibiotics for certain or suspected postabortal endometritis, as against six patients (5.4%) in the group without bacterial vaginosis.

Abortion Applicants↗
PubMed1997

False-negative results of a ligase chain reaction assay to detect Chlamydia trachomatis due to inhibitors in urine.

The aim of this study was to assess the presence of inhibitors in urine specimens causing false-negative results in a commercial Chlamydia trachomatis gap-filling ligase chain reaction (Gap-LCR) assay. On testing of urine samples by the Gap-LCR assay and urethral swab specimens by cell culture, 73 (19%) Chlamydia trachomatis positive subjects were detected among 382 men attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. In 56 subjects, the agent was detected in both the urine and the urethral samples, while 309 subjects were negative in both tests. In seven subjects urine samples were Gap-LCR positive (confirmed by a different Gap-LCR assay), but the corresponding urethral swab samples were cell culture-negative. In another ten subjects the urethral swab samples were cell culture positive, but their urine samples were Gap-LCR negative. Subsequent re-analysis of the urine samples including the addition of external Chlamydia trachomatis DNA indicated full or partial inhibition in nine of the cell culture-positive Gap-LCR negative subjects. When urine preparations were freeze-thawed and diluted prior to testing, Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in six of the ten initially Gap-LCR-negative samples. Gap-LCR inhibitors were present in at least nine (12%) of the 73 urine preparations from the Chlamydia trachomatis positive individuals. Identification of samples containing Gap-LCR inhibitors and subsequent processing to reduce the inhibition increased the sensitivity of the test from 86% to 95%.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Seroreactivity to human papillomavirus type 16 virus-like particles is lower in high-risk men than in high-risk women.

Seroreactivity to human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) virus-like particles (VLPs) in men attending clinics for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Denmark (n = 219) and Greenland (n = 88) was compared with seroreactivity in women attending the same clinics and was furthermore related to epidemiologic variables and concurrent HPV DNA detection. Risk factors for male seropositivity in Denmark were lifetime number of sex partners, a history of STDs, and sexual preference and in Greenland were ever having had syphilis and years at school. Although men reported significantly more sex partners, the mean seroreactivity was significantly lower in men than in women: 0.50 and 0.75, respectively, in Denmark and 0.53 and 0.86 in Greenland (P = .0001). Male seropositivity was not correlated with concurrent HPV DNA detection, but only 15 Danish and 6 Greenlandic men had HPV-16 DNA. Presence of HPV-16 VLP antibodies appears to be a biomarker for exposure to genital HPVs in men but is less sensitive than in women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The impact of exposure group on the progression rate to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A comparison between intravenous drug users, homosexual men and heterosexually infected subjects.

The objective was to study the impact of exposure group on the progression rate to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 289 subjects in Oslo, Norway, infected with the human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) and without major clinical signs of HIV infection (102 intravenous drug users, 151 homosexual men and 36 heterosexually infected subjects) were recruited to the Oslo HIV Cohort Study from 1989 and followed until 1 January 1995. 15 (14.7%) of the intravenous drug users, 56 (37.1%) of the homosexual men and 5 (12.5%) of the heterosexually infected subjects developed AIDS during a mean time of 47 months (p < 0.001, log rank test). When controlling for possible confounding variables (age, number of CD4+ lymphocytes, antiviral therapy at study entry, gender and year of HIV diagnosis), the relative risk of AIDS progression was 2.2 [1.1-4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)] for homosexual men and 0.5 (0.2-1.3, 95% CI) for heterosexually infected subjects as compared to intravenous drug users. In a subgroup with known time of seroconversion (n = 60), 47% (18/38) of the homosexual men, 20% (3/15) of the intravenous users and none (0/7) of the heterosexually infected subjects developed AIDS (p = 0.04, log rank test). The results suggest that homosexual men have more rapid progression to AIDS than intravenous drug users and heterosexually infected subjects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Comparative efficacy and safety of single oral doses of sparfloxacin versus ciprofloxacin in the treatment of acute gonococcal urethritis in men.

A double-blind, randomised, international multicentre study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of sparfloxacin 200 mg versus ciprofloxacin 250 mg as single oral-dose treatment for acute gonorrhoea in men. A total of 238 patients were included and 191 were evaluable for primary efficacy (eradication of Neisseria gonorrhoeae). At follow-up, 99% (96/97) of the sparfloxacin-treated patients were culture-negative compared with 98% (92/94) in the ciprofloxacin group. Three of the four patients who harboured gonococci at follow-up admitted to having had unprotected sexual intercourse after treatment and were probably reinfections. The rate of post-gonococcal urethritis was 26% in both groups, although Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated in only 4% of patients at inclusion. Both drugs were well tolerated. Single oral doses of sparfloxacin 200 mg and ciprofloxacin 250 mg are equally effective in the treatment of acute gonorrhoea in men.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

A comparative study of two different regimens of sparfloxacin versus doxycycline in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis in men.

A multicentre, double-blind, randomised study comparing the efficacy and safety of oral sparfloxacin (200 mg on day 1 followed by 100 mg daily for 2 or 6 additional days) with doxycycline (200 mg once daily for 7 days) in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis in men was conducted. The overall success rates for the three treatment groups were statistically equivalent both at the end of treatment and at the follow-up visits. For chlamydial urethritis, the rates of relapse or possible reinfection were similar in the 7-day sparfloxacin and doxycycline groups. For ureaplasmal urethritis and urethritis of unknown aetiology, the rates of relapse or possible reinfection were lower in the 7-day sparfloxacin group than in the other two treatment groups. Sparfloxacin was well tolerated. A 7-day sparfloxacin regimen appears to be a useful alternative to doxycycline for the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis in men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Endomysium and gliadin IgA antibodies in children with coeliac disease.

The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of IgA endomysium antibodies (EmA) and IgA gliadin antibodies (AGA) for coeliac disease (CD) were studied in Swedish children. Indirect immunofluorescence was used for demonstration of EmA and the diffusion-in-gel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for AGA. Serum samples were collected and analysed from 77 consecutive children undergoing small-intestinal biopsy on recognized clinical indications. The diagnostic sensitivity for CD was 98.1% for EmA and 86.5% for AGA. The specificity of the two tests was 92.7% for EmA and 92.7% for AGA in paediatric patients. In addition, 115 sera from control children showed 2.6% positive for EmA and 0.9% positive for AGA.

Adolescent↗