In MSM receiving oral PrEP for HIV, a high number of sexual partners within the previous 2 months was independently associated with cytomegalovirus seroprevalence.
A high number of sexual partners is independently associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity in high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), according to a study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
Researchers conducted a study to determine the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of CMV infection among high-risk MSM and to explore anal shedding of CMV as a potential route of transmission. Patients included in the analysis were those who participated in a separate study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01473472) that was designed to assess outcomes of HIV PrEP in a highly exposed seronegative population of MSM. Data for the study were captured between February 2012 and June 2016.
The final analysis comprised 417 patients, of whom the median age was 34.8 (IQR, 29.1-42.5) years, 92% were White, and the median number of sexual partners within the previous 2 months was 8.3 (IQR, 5.0-16.7).
At baseline, CMV seroprevalence was 91.6% (95% CI, 88.5-94.1). Of seropositive patients who provided anal swab samples (n=321), the researchers detected CMV DNA in 7 (2%).
Further analysis of 35 patients who were seronegative for CMV at baseline showed that 10 (28.6%; 95% CI, 14.6-46.3) seroconverted during the study period, indicating an estimated incidence of 17.1 (95% CI, 8.2-31.4) per 100 person-years. The median time from baseline to seroconversion was 6 (IQR, 1-8) months.
In a multivariate analysis, baseline CMV seropositivity was independently associated with a high number of sexual partners during the previous 2 months (odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.28-2.69; P =.001).
“Our study suggests that rather than HIV itself being a risk factor for CMV infection, it is the shared sexual behaviors associated with HIV risk that may explain the higher prevalence of CMV among both HIV-positive individuals and HIV-negative MSM,” the researchers noted.
This study is limited as it was not designed to examine CMV excretion by frequent and repeated sampling of mucosal fluids.
According to the researchers, “Our study adds to the body of evidence linking CMV, akin to other herpes viruses, with sexual behavior, underscoring the various potential modes of transmission, including salivary.”
By Paul Basilio
References:
Chawki S, Leturque N, Minier M, et al; on behalf of the IPERGAY Study group. Prevalence and risk factors of cytomegalovirus among men having sex with men enrolled in a pre-exposure prophylaxis study. Open Forum Infect Dis. Published online July 18, 2024. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofae400
Source : Infectious Disease Advisor
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