Purpose of review Although cities present opportunities for infectious pathogens such as HIV to spread, public health infrastructure within these cities also provides opportunities to design... Show morePurpose of review Although cities present opportunities for infectious pathogens such as HIV to spread, public health infrastructure within these cities also provides opportunities to design effective approaches to eliminate transmission of these pathogens. The HIV Transmission Elimination AMsterdam (H-TEAM) Initiative, a consortium of relevant stakeholders involved in HIV prevention and care, designed an integrated approach to curb the HIV epidemic in Amsterdam, including providing preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), increasing awareness of acute HIV infection, offering same-day test and treat, and improving indicator disease-driven HIV testing. Recent findings In 2013, approximately 230 people in Amsterdam were newly diagnosed with HIV, largely belonging to one of two key affected populations, namely MSM and people with a migration background. Since the start of H-TEAM in 2014, a decrease in new diagnoses was observed (130 in 2017), with an increasing proportion of MSM who had been diagnosed with a recent infection. The H-TEAM shows that a city-based concerted effort is feasible. However, major challenges remain, such as reducing the number of late HIV diagnoses, and identifying and providing appropriate services to a diminishing group of individuals who are likely the source of transmission. Show less
Baaten, G.G.; Roukens, A.H.; Geskus, R.B.; Kint, J.A.; Coutinho, R.A.; Sonder, G.J.; Hoek, A. van den 2010
Methods. A prospective study was performed between October 2003 and February 2008 among adult medication-dependent travelers with diabetes, with their healthy travel companions without diabetes... Show moreMethods. A prospective study was performed between October 2003 and February 2008 among adult medication-dependent travelers with diabetes, with their healthy travel companions without diabetes serving as matched controls. Thus, travelers with diabetes and controls were assumed to have comparable exposure to infection. Data on symptoms of infectious diseases were recorded by using a structured diary. Results. Among 70 travelers with insulin-dependent diabetes, the incidence of travel-related diarrhea was 0.99 per person-month, and the median number of symptomatic days 1.54 per month. For their 70 controls, figures were 0.74 and 1.57, respectively (p > 0.05). Among 82 travelers with non-insulin-dependent diabetes, incidence was 0.75, and the median number of symptomatic days was 1.68. For their 82 controls, figures were 0.70 and 1.68, respectively (p > 0.05). As for other symptoms, no significant travel-related differences were found. Only 17% of travelers with diabetes suffering from diarrhea used their stand-by antibiotics. Conclusions. Medication-dependent travelers with diabetes traveling to developing countries do not have symptomatic infectious diseases more often or longer than travelers without diabetes. Routine prescription of stand-by antibiotics for travelers with diabetes to areas with good health facilities is probably not more useful than for healthy travelers. Show less
