Sexually transmissible enteric infections in MSM v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prevalence and characteristics of sexually transmissible enteric infections (STEIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending a London sexual health clinic: a student study
IRAS ID
225176
Contact name
Nigel Field
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2017/08/79, UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Transmission of enteric pathogens occurs via the faecal-oral route and is usually caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water, often associated with travel to low income countries with poor food and water hygiene.
Since 2009 there have been increasing reports of sexually transmissible enteric infections (STEIs), especially shigella, in men who have sex with men (MSM). Faecal-oral transmission associated with sex may be through direct oro-anal practices, indirectly through oral sex after sex or via fingers or fomites. The rise in STEIs has occurred alongside rapid increases in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in MSM including gonorrhoea, syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), suggestive of high levels of condomless sex. The increase in STEIs is a growing public health concern, particularly due to the emergence of resistance to front-line antimicrobials.
This research study is being conducted as part of a PhD thesis which aims to better understand the epidemiology of STEIs in MSM to inform the targeting, development and delivery of interventions to maximise patient and public health benefit. More specifically, this research study aims to estimate the prevalence of a range of STEIs in the MSM population and to describe the risk factors associated with prevalent infection.
This is a single-site study at a central London sexual health clinic. 2281 residual rectal swabs collected as part of routine NHS tests will be anonymised and tested for a range of enteric pathogens, without obtaining specific informed consent. Posters and/or leaflets will be displayed at the clinic to enable individuals to opt out. The test results will be linked to socio-demographic, clinical and behavioural data extracted from a clinic database and from the national STI surveillance system. At no stage will the research study have access to personal identifiable data, including name, date of birth or postcode.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1722
Date of REC Opinion
22 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion