A recent study of over 2,000 patients in Los Angeles who received doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DP) found it to be highly effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The research, conducted from April 2019 to July 2024, analyzed data on patients prescribed DP and found significant reductions in cases of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Among the study participants, nearly half were between 31-40 years old, over half were white, and a majority identified as gay or bisexual men. The results showed that DP use led to a substantial decline in bacterial STIs, with reductions ranging from 86.4% for syphilis to 89.7% for chlamydia.
The study’s findings are consistent with previous trials, including the DoxyPEP trial conducted in San Francisco and Seattle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended DP for gay men and transgender women with a history of STIs since 2024.
However, researchers emphasize that while DP is an effective tool, there are still important questions about its use patterns and potential consequences. They call for further examination of DP use and establishment of quality improvement programs to minimize adverse outcomes and maximize population impact on reducing STIs and HIV syndemics.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/wyoming-reports-its-first-human-h5n1-avian-flu-infection