Chlamydial infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in Sweden and worldwide, despite extensive testing, efficient treatment and partner notification. The incidence of Lymphogranuloma venereum, currently occurring among men who have sex with men and most often in the rectum, shows no tendency to decline. This infection is usually symptomatic but still evading diagnosis due to similarities to other causes of proctitis. There is evidence that rectal chlamydia is common also in women not practicing anal sex.

Klamydia är fortfarande den vanligast förekommande sexuellt överförda bakteriella infektionen, utan tydlig minskning av incidens trots smittspårning och frekvent testning.

Klamydia rektalt hos kvinnor som inte har haft analsex är sannolikt vanligt. Lymphogranuloma venereum är en allvarlig och ofta förbisedd infektion. Sedan sekelskiftetfinns i västvärlden en pågående smittspridning bland män som har sex med män. Bakterien påvisas oftast i rektum och proktitsymtom är vanliga.

Dosering av doxycyklin bör anpassas till den internationellt vedertagna, då det för traditionell svenskdosering bland annat saknas evidens för tillräcklig effekt vid extragenital klamydia.

No aetiology is found in up to 40% of men with symptomatic urethritis. Male partners of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) may be at higher risk of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). The aim of this study was to examine the role of BV associated bacteria in first-void urine (FVU) in 97 asymptomatic men without urethritis (controls) and 44 men (cases) with NGU including 20 men with idiopathic urethritis (IU) attending a Swedish STD-clinic between January and October 2010. BV-associated bacteria and ureaplasmas were detected by quantitative PCR assays. All BV associated bacteria, except Megasphaera-like type 1, were strongly positively correlated with U. urealyticum p<0.005 and even stronger with the combined U. urealyticum and U. parvum load (p<0.0005) suggesting that ureaplasma induced elevated pH may stimulate the growth of BV associated bacteria. No statistically significant differences were found between IU cases and controls in the prevalence or load of BV associated bacteria or ureaplasmas. In multiple logistic regression, Megasphaera-like type 1 was associated with IU (p = 0.03), but most positive FVU samples contained very few bacteria and the finding may not be clinically relevant.

The prevalence of an exaggerated exercise blood pressure (BP) response is unknown in patients with subacute stroke, and it is not known whether an aerobic exercise program modulates this response. The authors randomized 53 patients (27 women) with subacute stroke to 12 weeks of twice-weekly aerobic exercise (n = 29) or to usual care without scheduled physical exercise (n = 24). At baseline, 66% of the patients exhibited an exaggerated exercise BP response (peak systolic BP ≥210 mm Hg in men and ≥190 mm Hg in women) during a symptom-limited ergometer exercise test. At follow-up, patients who had been randomized to the exercise program achieved higher peak work rate, but peak systolic BP remained unaltered. Among patients with a recent stroke, it was common to have an exaggerated systolic BP response during exercise. This response was not altered by participation in a 12-week program of aerobic exercise.

Purpose: Transitioning to independence may be problematic for persons with spina bifida (SB). Experiences of young persons with SB may provide insights into this group's needs for support. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate children'€™s and adolescents' experiences of living with SB, their social and emotional adjustment, and their thoughts about becoming independent adults. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young persons with SB (N = 8, age range 10 - 17 years). Social and emotional problems were assessed using Beck Youth Inventories. The interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main themes were found: being a person with SB; everyday living as a person with SB; and preparing for life as an adult with SB. Indications of emotional and social problems were most prominent among participants with milder physical disability. Conclusions: The findings indicate that young persons with SB may overestimate their independence. Other potentially problematic areas were lack of motivation, planning and preparedness for becoming independent. Research on transition to independence in this group should consider assistance at an early age in planning and executing strategies for independence. In addition, the potentially difficult situation for young persons with mild SB should be investigated further.

We present the updated International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections guideline for the management of non-gonococcal urethritis in men. This guideline recommends confirmation of urethritis in symptomatic men before starting treatment. It does not recommend testing asymptomatic men for the presence of urethritis. All men with urethritis should be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and ideally M. genitalium using a NAAT as this is highly likely to improve clinical outcomes. If a NAAT is positive for gonorrhoea, a culture should be performed before treatment. In view of the increasing evidence that azithromycin 1 g may result in the development of antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium azithromycin 1 g is no longer recommended as first line therapy, which should be doxycycline 100 mg bd for 7 days. If azithromycin is to be prescribed an extended of 500 mg, then 250 mg daily for 4 days is to be preferred over 1 g stat. In men with persistent NGU, M. genitalium NAAT testing is recommended if not previously undertaken, as is Trichomonas vaginalis NAAT testing in populations where T. vaginalis is detectable in >2% of symptomatic women.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the effects of 12 weeks of twice-weekly intensive aerobic exercise on physical function and quality of life after subacute stroke.

DESIGN:

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING:

Ambulatory care.

PARTICIPANTS:

Patients (N=56; 28 women) aged ≥50 years who had a mild stroke (98% ischemic) and were discharged to independent living and enrolled 20 days (median) after stroke onset.

INTERVENTIONS:

Sixty minutes of group aerobic exercise, including 2 sets of 8 minutes of exercise with intensity up to exertion level 14 or 15 of 20 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, twice weekly for 12 weeks (n=29). The nonintervention group (n=27) received no organized rehabilitation or scheduled physical exercise.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Primary outcome measures included aerobic capacity on the standard ergometer exercise stress test (peak work rate) and walking distance on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondary outcome measures included maximum walking speed for 10m, balance on the timed Up and Go (TUG) test and single leg stance (SLS), health-related quality of life on the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D), and participation and recovery after stroke on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) version 2.0 domains 8 and 9. Participants were evaluated pre- and postintervention. Patient-reported measures were also evaluated at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS:

The following improved significantly more in the intervention group (pre- to postintervention): peak work rate (group × time interaction, P=.006), 6MWT (P=.011), maximum walking speed for 10m (P<.001), TUG test (P<.001), SLS right and left (eyes open) (P<.001 and P=.022, respectively), and SLS right (eyes closed) (P=.019). Aerobic exercise was associated with improved EQ-5D scores (visual analog scale, P=.008) and perceived recovery (SIS domain 9, P=.002). These patient-reported improvements persisted at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intensive aerobic exercise twice weekly early in subacute mild stroke improved aerobic capacity, walking, balance, health-related quality of life, and patient-reported recovery.

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the time to a Mycoplasma genitalium-negative test after start of treatment and to monitor if and when antibiotic resistance developed.

METHODS:

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees with suspected or verified M. genitalium infection were treated with azithromycin (5 days, 1.5 g; n = 85) or moxifloxacin (n = 5). Subjects with symptomatic urethritis or cervicitis of unknown aetiology were randomized to either doxycycline (n = 49) or 1 g of azithromycin as a single dose (n = 51). Women collected vaginal specimens and men collected first-catch urine 12 times during 4 weeks. Specimens were tested for M. genitalium with a quantitative MgPa PCR and for macrolide resistance-mediating mutations with a PCR targeting 23S rRNA.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION:

NCT01661985.

RESULTS:

Ninety M. genitalium cases were enrolled. Of 56 patients with macrolide-susceptible strains before treatment with azithromycin (1.5 g, n = 46; 1 g single oral dose, n = 10), 54 (96%) had a negative PCR test within 8 days. In four patients, M. genitalium converted from macrolide susceptible to resistant after a 10 day lag time with negative tests (azithromycin 1.5 g, n = 3; 1 g single oral dose, n = 1). Moxifloxacin-treated subjects (n = 4) were PCR negative within 1 week. Six of eight (75%) remained positive despite doxycycline treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

PCR for M. genitalium rapidly became negative after azithromycin treatment. Macrolide-resistant strains were detected after initially negative tests. Test of cure should be recommended no earlier than 3-4 weeks.

Spina bifida is a congenital birth defect, resulting in physical and cognitive dysfunctions. Condition-related knowledge among children and adolescents with spina bifida is essential to facilitate independent management of their condition. The aim was to describe the condition-related knowledge among children and adolescents with spina bifida in a Swedish county. Thirteen persons with spina bifida (10 to 17 years) participated. Condition-related knowledge was assessed (n = 13) using a questionnaire (KOSB) and a semi-structured interview (n = 8). Interview data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The participants had well-developed knowledge concerning proper bladder management, but were lacking knowledge of signs of shunt malfunctioning and etiology. Some participants were uninterested in learning about their condition, despite being aware that they lacked knowledge. The findings indicate potential areas that may be included in local educational initiatives. It should be considered that persons with spina bifida may not be motivated to learn more about their condition.