High HIV seroprevalence associated with gonorrhea: New York City Department of Health, sexually transmitted disease clinics, 1990–1997

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To measure trends in HIV seroprevalence associated with gonorrhea in patients presenting to New York City Department of Health sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, 1990–1997 (n = 94 577). Unlinked HIV-1 serosurvey using remnant serum originally drawn for routine serologic tests for syphilis (STS). Demographic, risk factor, clinical and laboratory data were abstracted from clinic charts. No other data sources were used. Patients were not interviewed. During 1990–1997 HIV seroprevalence declined from 9 to 6% (P for trend P In this 9-year serosurvey the association between HIV and gonorrhea remained strong during a period when HIV seroprevalence and gonorrhea incidence declined. The data suggest that a gonorrhea diagnosis is an important risk marker in this era of `safe sex' and that behavior patterns of patients with gonorrhea warrant further study.