ArticleSexually transmitted infections2026
Prevalence of chlamydial, gonococcal and syphilis positivity by anatomical site and sex via self-collected biospecimens using at-home testing kits among a large and diverse cohort of men and women enrolled in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) in the USA.
Article in Sexually transmitted infections, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Impact of Vaginal Estradiol on the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, Vaginal Microbiome and Mucosal Immune Mediators in Women With HIV.Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2026Trial
- Mechanisms, management and prevention of anorectal sexually transmitted infections.Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology · 2026Review
- Characterizing HIV-related patient portal preferences among men who have sex with men in the United States.BMC public health · 2026Article
- The Relationship Between HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Use and Laboratory-Confirmed Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Positivity Among a Diverse, Multi-City Cohort of Sexually Active Sexual and Gender Minorities in the United States.AIDS patient care and STDs · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
25 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionCisgender men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women, cisgender women and cisgender men who have sex with women only (MSW) have differential risk of acquiring
methodsParticipants are enrolled in the MACS (Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study)/WIHS (Women's Interagency HIV Study) Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS)-the longest-running observational study of both people living with HIV (PLWH) and sociodemographically similar people living without HIV (PLWOH) in the world-with a total of 13 clinical research sites across the USA; participants (N=5700) complete quantitative assessments related to a variety of behavioural and health-related factors every 6 months. Regardless of whether or not they were sexually active or symptomatic/asymptomatic, all enrolled participants (ie, cisgender MSM, transgender women, cisgender women and cisgender MSW) were asked to complete surveillance testing for bacterial STIs (ie, syphilis, CT and GC). In addition to urethral samples, cisgender MSM, transgender women and cisgender MSW collected samples to test for extragenital pharyngeal and rectal CT and GC. Using at-home testing kits, participants self-collected biospecimens (ie, dried blood spots (DBS)/ microtainer of blood, urine and rectal and pharyngeal swabs) which were mailed to a central laboratory for nucleic acid amplification testing (for CT/GC) and syphilis testing using the reverse algorithm. STI results were linked to participants' HIV testing data and self-administered surveys on sociodemographics, sexual behaviours and psychosocial factors.
resultsAmong those tested, 24.6% of cisgender MSM, 25.8% of transgender women, 7.4% of cisgender women and 14.6% cisgender MSW tested positive for at least one STI. Multiple STIs/anatomical sites were detected in 3.9% of participants, with the highest prevalence among transgender women (9.7%). Current/past syphilis prevalence was 11.2% across all participants, with cisgender MSM (19.7%) and transgender women (19.4%) having a higher prevalence than cisgender women (6.4%) and cisgender MSW (12.6%). Regarding CT, 2.1% of the participants tested were positive at one anatomical site. Among those who had extragenital testing, rectal CT was the most prevalent (3.2%), including 3.4% among cisgender MSM, 8.9% among transgender women and 0.9% among cisgender MSW. For GC, 1.4% of participants tested positive at one site. Among those who tested for extragenital STIs, rectal GC was the most common site, with a prevalence of 2.2%, including 2.3% for cisgender MSM, 4.3% for transgender women and 1.4% among MSW. Overall, 7.1% of participants tested positive for CT or GC at one or more anatomical sites. Finally, PLWH had a significantly higher prevalence of syphilis (13.74%) compared with PLWOH (6.11%) (p<0.001).
conclusionThere is a high prevalence of bacterial STIs among participants in the MWCCS. Self-collection of DBS/microtainer of blood, urine and rectal and pharyngeal swabs provided a useful, cost-effective option for screening participants outside of the traditional clinical setting. Given the possible asymptomatic nature of all three STIs, regular testing and education can be key to detection and treatment. Culturally appropriate and locally derived community outreach and engagement can be highly effective in reducing stigma around HIV and STIs and help reduce barriers to testing and treatment.
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