After appropriate pre-test discussion, all of the STI tests listed should be offered:
3-monthly testing for sexually transmitted infections in all men who have had any type of sex with another man in the previous 3 months*
Blood Tests |
NAAT/PCR^ tests for gonorrhoea and chlamydia: |
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^NAAT - Nucleic Acid Amplification Test test e.g. Transcription- Mediated Amplification (TMA), Strand Displacement Amplification (SDA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). |
* Men who have sex with men (MSM) who are not sexually active or in monogamous relationships may be tested less frequently, but at least annually.
Clinician collected | Self-collection
Screening for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) using NAAT/PCR. Confirmation of positive NG result by culture is not necessary and should not delay treatment, but to assist surveillance for antimicrobial resistance, gonorrhoea culture should be collected prior to administering antibiotics.
All people living with HIV should be tested for STIs three-monthly, including a blood test for syphilis (even if they are only having six-monthly viral load monitoring) unless they are not sexually active or are at low risk.
All HIV-positive MSM should have at least annual HCV testing.
Infections for which testing is not recommended:
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): asymptomatic testing not recommended. Pleas see anal-rectal syndromes for testing patients with proctitis.
Sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus is rare in HIV-negative MSM, and testing is not recommended unless blood-borne virus risk factors are present (e.g. injecting drug use) or if the patient is on PrEP, to align with PrEP guidelines.
Herpes simplex virus: serology is not recommended in any group due to unclear benefit and and difficult interpretation of results.
Mycoplasma genitalium testing in asymptomatic MSM is not recommended because the benefits of screening have not been established. Testing recommendation in symptomatic MSM or contacts of infection can be found at mycoplasma genitalium.
Trichomonas vaginalis is rare in MSM and asymptomatic testing is not recommended.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) testing in asymptomatic MSM is not recommended because the benefits of screening and optimal screening technology have not been established. However, an annual digital anorectal examination for HIV-positive MSM older than 50 years is advised to detect early HPV-related anal cancers.
For trans MSM with a cervix, cervical screening tests are recommended in accordance with national guidelines. Self collected swabs may be an option for eligible people - National Cervical Screening Guidelines.
PrEP
PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV infection and should be actively offered to any person at medium or high risk. All patients taking PrEP or eligible for it should be tested three-monthly, including STIs and renal function, in accordance with Australian PrEP guidelines: www.ashm.org.au/HIV/PrEP
Repeat testing
Patients with any positive test should be tested every three months to detect re-infection and because they may be at ongoing risk of other STIs.
If test results are positive, refer to the management section for the relevant STI:
Even if all test results are negative, use the opportunity to:
90% of MSM are screened according to these guidelines.