Sexually transmitted diseases in 1161 HIV-positive patients: a 38-month prospective study in southern Spain

HIV infection is primarily a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but intravenous drug use (IDU) is the main risk factor for HIV infection in certain areas, including southern Europe. A number of prospective studies of dermatological findings in HIV-1 infected patients have been published, almost all from countries where homosexuality is the main risk factor of HIV infection and without correlation with CD4 cell counts. No STD data is included in those studies.

To determine the incidence of STDs in a cohort of 1161 HIV-1-positive patients from Spain, in the previous medical history and during the prospective study.

We prospectively examined 1161 HIV-1-positive patients for 38 months, 986 men and 175 women. IDU was the risk factor in 74%, while homosexuality was a risk factor in only 9%. CDC stage II was predominant (51%), while stage IV was less frequent (39%). The mean CD4 cell count was 353/mm3. Patients' past and present medical history of STDs was obtained. CD4 cells/mm3 counts were measured at each visit.

Six hundred and eighty-four patients had a past history of STD, whilst new infections were diagnosed in 258 individuals (22%) during the 38-month study. Pediculosis pubis (26%), gonorrhoea (22%), syphilis (13%), genital candida infection (11%) and condyloma acuminatum (10%) were the commonest previous STDs, followed by non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) (5%), genital herpes (4%) and trichomoniasis (2%). During the 38-month study period and with strong recommendation of condom use for sexual intercourse, condyloma acuminatum (7%), scabies (6%), syphilis (4%) and genital herpes (3%) were commonly diagnosed, followed by gonorrhoea (1.8%), NGU (1.6%), genital candida infection (1.5%), pediculosis pubis (0.6%) and trichomoniasis (0.3%). Only genital herpes had a statistically significant association with advanced stage (P = 5.12 x 10(-6)) and low CD4 cell counts (180 +/- 166 cells/mm3).

Despite the predominance of the IDU factor among our patients, the incidence of STDs in the past medical history was surprisingly high. The incidence of STD during the study was also high, despite the advice of using condoms after the diagnosis of HIV infection. STDs may accelerate the course of HIV infection and be a poor prognostic indicator in these patients. If an HIV-1-positive patient can acquire an STD, he/she can also transmit HIV infection. This indicates that new publicity campaigns are still needed to stop HIV and STDs infection among HIV-positive patients as well as in the general population.