Informal use of antibiotics to prevent sexually transmitted infections on the rise in key populations in the Netherlands

New research, which analyzes an online survey of 1,633 respondents, found 15% of the docyclin post- and pre-Exposure Profilaxis (Doxypep/Prep) among men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender-divisions.

Was published in the study Eurosurvilance,

These data highlights an increase in informal use of doxypep/prep, with 65% of participants intend to use it in the future. Currently, Doxypep/Prep is not recommended or not actively publicized healthcare professionals in the Netherlands. An informal use without a prescription by a health care professional can contribute to changes in IE, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and microbiom.

The use of doxypep has been shown an effective method in prevention against sexually transmitted infection (STI) in MSM, transgender and gender-class individuals. The clinical trials of Doxypep have made significant cuts in syphilis and chlamydia, which has additional ability to reduce the incidence of other bacterial STs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

However, public health implications of wide use of doxypep are subject to current debate. The administration of doxypep for specific individuals can prevent sufficient number of STIs and low antibiotic uses, especially among those who are repeatedly STIs.

Informal doxype/prep use is associated with HIV prep uses, sexual drug use and safety perception

As this paper and Leonse et al is highlighted with an editorial.

Researchers headed by Teker Buhari reviewed data from a cross of sectional study online survey MSM, transgender and gender-class individuals between persons aged 18 years or older.

The survey focused on doxypep or doxyPrep awareness and previous use of intentions to use it. The participants were admitted through advertisements at Amsterdam, Center for Sexual Health at the Netherlands as well as dating apps (Grindr), Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Messenger and Targeted Instagram accounts.

In the study, 23% of the participants reported using doxypep/prep and 15% reported using Doxypep/Prep in six months before the survey.

The respondents who informed about the recent use were more likely to report to live with HIV in six months before taking a survey or using oral HIV prep. They were more likely to report the history of bacterial STIs, with a higher number of sexual partners, and during that period had a high frequency of being attached to kemsex and group sex.

Doxycycline was the most commonly used antibiotic in this study, with 46% of the participants recently reported it as PEP, 29% of recent PEP users used it as prep and 25% used it as a combination of both.

Overall, the intention of using Doxypep/Prep was very high among the study population, with the intention of using more than half of the participants (65%). The respondents were ready to pay for more than two-thirds (72%) doxype/prep. If it became formally available, it indicates a possible demand for the study population and beyond the drug.

It was also found that Doxypep/Prep was mainly obtained from countries outside the Netherlands or through prescription, in which the participants paid an average of € 30 for the drug.

For informal use of doxype/prep, to use additional determinant and oral HIV prep or to live with HIV, high in intentions, using Doxypep/Prep to obtain advice from others to use doxypep/prep and use DOXYPEP/PREP as an effective and safe method of sti prevention.

Possible antimicrobial resistance risk due to lack of monitoring

The effects of prophylactic antibiotic use on AMR were highlighted in the study as there are uncertainty about prolonged adverse effects of doxipep/prep use. Taker et al. In the previous studies, including the United States, in short, emphasize the doxiclyn effectiveness and potential damage to AMR risks.

They also cite its possible effects on the intestine microbiom, which needs to be further studied. If doxypep is applied under extensive clinical guidance in the country, it would be important to monitor both personal and population. Level resistance to doxycycline.

Lack of awareness on the extent of informal use of doxypep/prep makes it difficult to monitor and implement proper public health stewardships. This leads to difficulties in detecting overweight, misuse and adverse effects, including effects on AMR growth and microbiome structure.

European Center provided by prevention and control (ECDC)