Authors’ response: Prevention of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) in France: a comprehensive approach

To the editor: We read with great interest Caumes’ letter to the editor and we are grateful for this opportunity to further explain the prevention of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) in France. The author underlines rightfully that there is a missing comprehensive section dealing with STI prevention in our article titled ‘Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) in France: recent trends and patients’ characteristics in 2016’ [1]. We agree that the conclusion might deal more explicitly with condom use and related topics (e.g. extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mycoplasma, XDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae, oral-faecal transmitted diseases in men that have sex with men (MSM), recreational drug use, emergence of new STI). Nevertheless, this article does not recommend testing and treating instead of prevention since STI screening is one of the key strategies in STI prevention [1].

From an historical perspective, the dynamic of epidemics over the last two decades demonstrate that prevention coverage did not enable control of STI, despite the effectiveness of available prevention tools (e.g. condom use) [1]. Indeed, increases in STI are more noticeable in MSM, which may reflect increasing unprotected sex in this population [1-3]. An upsurge in STI is also observed in heterosexuals, with Chlamydia predominantly spreading in young women and men [1]. Thus, there are several STI epidemics driven by different determinants in various populations.

There is no controversy about condom effectiveness when it is consistently and correctly used, even if it might fluctuate by pathogens (e.g. human papillomavirus (HPV)) and sexual practices (e.g. foreplay) [4,5]. However, condom use is still inconsistent despite decades of sensitisation (e.g. awareness, barriers and enablers such as perceptions about condom use, partner support, self-efficacy, perceived risk for STI, condom costs, comfort in obtaining condoms, social norms); ongoing STI surveillance confirms that there is an insufficient level of condom use during penetrations in STI patients, regardless their sexual orientation. In addition, condoms are rarely used during oral sex in heterosexuals and MSM [6]. Factors resulting in less condom use therefore need to be carefully addressed through behavioural interventions and alternative prevention tools [7].

The role of asymptomatic and extra genital STI in sustaining silent epidemics should also be taken into account. Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and testing recommendations have improved detection of asymptomatic and symptomatic STI and contribute to increasing number of diagnoses [1,8]. However, the volume of diagnosed and treated STI likely remains insufficient to control ongoing epidemics, even combined with present level of condom use [1].

Consequently, prevention should target the main drivers of STI epidemics to reduce STI reservoirs as well as new acquisitions. Condoms remain a corner stone in STI prevention and Santé publique France therefore actively promote their use through social marketing campaigns, free provision of condoms, sexual health education and promotion and collaborations with stakeholders (e.g. clinicians, scientists and patients' associations).

Considering the burden of STI, invisible epidemics of undiagnosed STI, threat of multidrug resistance and the ‘reoccurrence of severe complications’ and ‘high rate of sequelae’ mentioned by Caumes, a comprehensive approach including several levels of prevention is required to control STI [8-11]. This justifies a wide range of combined interventions such as condom reimbursement by the national health insurance, systematic Chlamydia testing in young women and men, STI clinics targeting the most exposed or vulnerable populations, test reimbursements and sexual partners notification in the framework of a national sexual health strategy [1,11-13].

Concerning HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) patients’ follow-up primarily targets HIV transmission, but its components including sexual health counselling and STI testing can contribute to diagnosing invisible STI in highly exposed MSM. This could lead to a decrease in STI on the long-term if ‘more patients are treated and transmission chains are broken’ after an expected initial rise in the number of diagnoses [14,15]. We also must remember the role of STI in HIV acquisition and how valuable PrEP consultations are in preventing HIV transmission in highly exposed populations.

In conclusion, condom use remains a key component of STI prevention. Nevertheless, a comprehensive approach of STI prevention should continue, including testing and treating patients, notification of sexual partners following diagnosis, updating national guidelines and antimicrobial surveillance to prevent occurrence of multidrug-resistant pathogens, reinforce surveillance to detect emergent STI, understanding risk behaviour patterns, identifying barriers and finding means to improve access to a wide range of prevention tools.