Dataset Information

Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in cross-border female sex workers in China: a case-control study.

ABSTRACT: Background:Female sex workers (FSWs) are key groups in the transmission of sexual transmitted infections (STI), and vaginal microbiome variations play an important role in transmission. We aimed to explore the characteristics of vaginal microbiome among FSWs. Materials and Methods:A total of 24 cross-border FSWs were randomly selected from a cross-sectional survey for female sex workers in southwest China. Thirty-seven female non-sex workers (FNSWs) were randomly selected from the gynecology clinic and health examination center. Vaginal swabs were collected, bacterial DNA extracted and 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. Differences in the vaginal microbiome between both groups were compared using bioinformatics analysis. Results:One DNA sample was excluded due to unqualified concentration, therefore 60 samples were sequenced. FSWs had significantly different vaginal microbiota ? diversity, but undifferentiated ? diversity when compared with non-sex workers. The average relative abundance of Sneathia, Shigella, Neisseria, Chlamydia, Prevotella, Enterococcus and Ureaplasma among FSWs was higher than FNSWs, and relative abundance of Atopobium in FSWs was lower than FNSWs. The Lactobacillus genus was the major genus in both groups. At the species level, Lactobacllus crispatus, Lactobacllus gasseri and Lactobacllus jensenii, in female sex workers, were lower when compared to FNSWs. Conclusion:There were distinct differences in vaginal bacteria variety between FSWs and FNSWs. Some disease-related genus were also more abundant in FSWs. Based on these observations, further research is required to identify microbiome communities related to high STI risks and other diseases in these cohorts.

SUBMITTER: Hong X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6886492 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in cross-border female sex workers in China: a case-control study.

Hong Xiang X Fang Shenghao S Huang Kaiping K Yin Jiechen J Chen Jianshuang J Xuan Yan Y Zhu Jing J Ma Jun J Qin Pengfei P Peng Danhong D Wang Ning N Wang Bei B

PeerJ 20191129

<h4>Background</h4>Female sex workers (FSWs) are key groups in the transmission of sexual transmitted infections (STI), and vaginal microbiome variations play an important role in transmission. We aimed to explore the characteristics of vaginal microbiome among FSWs.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>A total of 24 cross-border FSWs were randomly selected from a cross-sectional survey for female sex workers in southwest China. Thirty-seven female non-sex workers (FNSWs) were randomly selected from the ...[more]

PMID: 31803537

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Project description:BACKGROUND:To assess the potential acceptability and inform the development of behaviorally-congruent vaginal douche- or gel-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) products, we examined vaginal washing and lubrication practices among female sex workers (FSWs) in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, two northern Mexico cities bordering the United States (US). METHODS:Two hundred and ninety-five HIV-negative FSWs (145 Tijuana; 150 Ciudad Juarez) enrolled in a behavioral HIV prevention intervention trial completed surveys assessing vaginal washing and lubrication practices, as well as motivators and barriers to performing each practice. Logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of each practice in the past month. RESULTS:In the past month, vaginal washing was performed by 56 and 22% of FSWs in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez (p?<? 0.0001), respectively, while vaginal lubrication was performed by 64 and 45% of FSWs in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez (p?=?0.001), respectively. Vaginal washing was positively associated with living in Tijuana (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]?=?4.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.60-7.30), older age (AOR?=?1.04 per year, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06), and vaginal lubrication (AOR?=?2.99, 95% CI: 1.67-5.35), while it was negatively associated with being born in the same state as the study site (AOR?=?0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.82), earning a monthly income ?3500 pesos (AOR?=?0.53, 95% CI: 0.28-1.00), and hazardous alcohol consumption (AOR?=?0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.95). Vaginal lubrication was positively associated with living in Tijuana (AOR?=?2.21, 95% CI: 1.37-3.54) and vaginal washing (AOR?=?2.91, 95% CI: 1.64-5.18), while it was negatively associated with being born in the same state as the study site (AOR?=?0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.75). CONCLUSIONS:The moderate and high prevalence of vaginal washing and lubrication, respectively, suggest behaviorally-congruent, multi-purpose, vaginal douche- and gel-based PrEP products that simultaneously address FSWs' needs and prevent HIV infection may be acceptable to many FSWs along the Mexico-US border. Future product development and implementation should also consider the link between vaginal washing and lubrication to ensure existing practices do not undermine vaginal PrEP product effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClincialTrials.gov ( NCT02447484 ).

Project description:OBJECTIVES:To assess the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the correlated risk factors among male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) in a Chinese-Vietnamese border region in Yunnan Province, China. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2014 and 2015 in Hekou County, Yunnan Province, China. Convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods were used to recruit male clients for a questionnaire survey to collect information on demographics, sexual behavior, and drug use. Blood and urine samples were collected for testing of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and drug use. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors correlated with HIV infection. RESULTS:Of 776 respondents who participated in the study, 721 (92.91%) were Chinese and 55 (7.09%) were Vietnamese. Overall HIV prevalence in male clients of FSWs was 2.06%, 128 (16.49%) were infected with HSV-2, and five (0.64%) tested syphilis-positive. Two-thirds (68.81%) of respondents reported always using condoms with FSWs, and 89.05% reported condom use in the last episode of commercial sex. Male clients from Vietnam were significantly more likely to take morphine (9.09%) compared with Chinese male clients of FSWs. Age ?50 years (OR: 8.11, 95%CI: 1.26-52.16) and morphine positivity (OR: 7.35, 95%CI: 1.42-38.06) were associated with HIV infection in the multivariate logistic regression model. CONCLUSION:The relatively high proportion of male clients of FSWs who have numerous sexual partners and use condoms less frequently make them serve as important bridges for HIV transmission from FSWs to the low-risk general population. The positive association between morphine positivity and HIV infection confirmed illegal drug use as another important route for acquiring HIV infection in addition to sexual transmission, indicating that innovative interventions addressing both drug use and risky sexual behaviors are greatly required for male clients. Respondents aged ?50 years have a higher risk of HIV infection, which emphasizes that older male clients of FSWs should be focused in future HIV prevention interventions in the border regions of China.

Project description:BackgroundHIV testing is a primary prevention strategy against the HIV epidemic and an entry point for HIV/AIDS-related care, prevention and treatment. This study aimed to estimate the uptake of HIV testing among Sino-Vietnam female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi, China, from 2016 to 2018, and to identify the factors influencing HIV testing uptake.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among FSWs in two Sino-Vietnam border cities of Guangxi, China. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interview, the data were collected by a structured questionnaire, and HIV-1 infection was detected simultaneously. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with uptake of HIV testing.ResultsIn total, 4565 Chinese local FSWs (CL-FSWs) and 636 cross-border migrant Vietnamese FSWs (CMV-FSWs) were recruited into this study. HIV-1 prevalence in CL-FSWs and CMV-FSWs was 0.70% and 3.14%, respectively. The rate of self-reported uptake of HIV testing in CL-FSWs and CMV-FSWs was 54.56% and 45.44%, respectively. The rates of self-reported uptake of HIV testing declined in both groups from 2016 to 2018. Logistic regression analysis indicated that a number of factors, including socio-demographic characteristics (age < 35 years, higher education, location in Chongzuo City), behaviour factors (having received free AIDS education, condom distribution services and peer education services, high risk sexual behaviours such as inconsistent condom use, having regular commercial sexual partners, etc.), psychological factors (perception of vulnerability to HIV/STIs, perception of risk for HIV infection) were the factors significantly related to uptake of HIV testing.ConclusionIn recent years, the rate of HIV testing uptake among Sino-Vietnam border FSWs in Guangxi, China was low, which may be an important reason for the high HIV-1 prevalence among FSWs in the region. A number of factors were identified to be associated with HIV-1 testing uptake, suggesting that HIV testing prevention strategies in this region could include accelerating AIDS education training, raising personal awareness of HIV testing, and improving accessibility of HIV testing.

Project description:Highly Exposed-Seronegatives (HESN) individuals do not contract HIV-1 infection despite long-term exposure; few comprehensive studies examining behavior, mucosal tissue, and peripheral immune parameters in sexually-exposed HESN have been completed. To this end, we assessed rate of condomless vaginal sex, the immune activation status (peripheral blood) and gene expression (ectocervical biopsies) in female cohort of high-risk female sex workers [FSW] (n=50) and non-sex worker women [CG] (n=32) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA. Of the 50 FSWs examined only 5 had detectable anti-HIV responses by either HIV gag-specific CD8+ T-Cell responses or mucosal anti-HIV envelope IgG/IgA. FSW had a uniform lower CD38 expression on circulating CD4+ or CD8+ T-Cells (both: p<0.0001:Wilcoxon Rank Sum). Cervical tissue from FSWs had greater levels of CD4+ T-Cell (p=0.040), CD123+ plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (p=0.013) and CD68+ macrophage infiltrates (p=0.038). Cervical gene expression by RNA microarray indicated that FSW had a gene signature characterized by lower expression of genes associated with leukocyte homing and chemotaxis; partial interferon regulated gene signature; and lower gene expression of genes required for HIV infection such as CD4 and NUP153 indicating a lower mucosal immune activation state and reduced susceptibility to HIV-1 infection within mucosal tissue. Notably, Interferon (IFN)-ε expression was higher in FSW than CG women, as detected by RNA (microarray) and protein (IHC) expression in cervical epithelium. The observed levels of IFNε were associated with the reported frequency of unprotected intercourse. Finally, IFNε was induced by treatment of the ECT1 cell line with seminal fluid, suggesting that semen exposure may contribute to long-term protection. Decreased levels of immune activation and gene expression required for HIV infection along with semen-induced epithelial Interferon ε production within the reproductive tract of FSWs highlight distinct host intrinsic resistance mechanisms that may contribute to long-term HIV seronegative status in spite of high-risk condomless sex.

Project description:BackgroundFemale sex workers (FSW) are highly susceptible to chlamydia and gonorrhea infection. However, there is limited literature examining their testing uptake to date. This study aimed to assess the uptake and determinants of chlamydia and gonorrhea testing among FSW in Southern China.MethodsA cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was performed in five cities in Southern China. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, and the utilization of health care services from participants were collected through face-to-face interviews. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine factors associated with chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, respectively.ResultsOverall, 1207 FSWs were recruited, with the mean age of 30.7 ± 6.8 years and an average number of clients of 7.0 (4.0-10.0) per week. 65.4% participants constantly used condoms with clients during the past month. Only 7.5 and 10.4% had been tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea in the last year, respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that FSW who worked at low tiers (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.36, 95%CI:1.23-10.14), had more clients in the last month (aOR = 1.03, 95%CI:1.01-1.05), used condoms consistently (aOR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.12-2.86), had STD symptoms (aOR = 4.09,95%CI:2.62-6.40), had been tested for HIV (aOR = 5.16, 95%CI:3.21-8.30) or syphilis (aOR = 6.90, 95%CI:4.21-11.22) in the last year were more likely to have chlamydia testing. In addition, FSW who had more clients in the past month (aOR = 1.02,95%CI:1.00-1.04), had STD symptoms (aOR = 3.33, 95%CI:2.03-5.46), had been tested for HIV (aOR = 3.94, 95%CI:2.34-6.65) and syphilis (aOR = 3.27, 95%CI:1.96-5.46) in the last year were more likely to have gonorrhea testing.ConclusionsThe testing rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are low among Chinese FSW. Integrating chlamydia and gonorrhea testing into HIV testing promotion programs may help bridge the gap among FSW.

Dataset Information

Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in cross-border female sex workers in China: a case-control study.

Publications

Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in cross-border female sex workers in China: a case-control study.

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