Trends in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Incidence among HIV-Negative and HIV-Positive Men in Washington State, 1996–2007

Abstract

Objectives. We assessed population-level trends in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae co-infection among adult males in Washington State between 1996 and 2007. Methods. Population-based categorical disease surveillance registries for gonorrhea and for HIV were electronically matched and merged at the record level and incidence rates were calculated for reported HIV-positive and presumed HIV-negative men. Results. The incidence of gonorrhea infection increased significantly among both HIV-positive and presumed HIV-negative men from 1996 to 2005, and this trend has recently reversed for both groups. The annual incidence rate of gonorrhea among HIV-positive men was found to be higher in all years than among men presumed to be HIV-negative. Conclusions. Inequality in the burden of gonorrhea by HIV-infection status suggests continuing sexual risk-taking among HIV-positive men as well as possible barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and partner services. This inequality may also reflect significant differences in gonorrhea burden among men who have sex with men as well as by HIV status. Monitoring emergent secular trends in population-level HIV/sexually transmitted infection comorbidity through registry matching is an achievable strategy for developing an evidence base to inform program collaboration and service integration efforts aimed at providing more comprehensive disease prevention services.