STEIM: Acceptability and feasibility of longitudinal sample collection to better understand the epidemiology of enteric infections in MSM

Enteric pathogens commonly cause gastroenteritis and, occasionally, significant morbidity and mortality. We will explore the role of behaviour, sub-clinical infection and asymptomatic carriage in sustaining transmission of enteric pathogens among MSM’s sexual networks, investigate whether genes conferring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in enteric pathogens are associated with exposure to bacterial STIs and antimicrobial therapies, and understand the role of the gut microbiome in GI disease and AMR acquisition.

Findings will further our understanding of the factors that sustain enteric pathogen transmission in MSM sexual networks, supporting infection control measures and reducing incidence of these pathogens and associated AMR.