Introduction:
High rates of partner change, multiple casual partners, and complex sexual networks are thought to contribute to outbreaks of Neisseria gonorrhoea (GC) in men who have sex with men (MSM), who account for 42% of diagnoses in the UK. Prompt, appropriate treatment and effective partner notification are key to reducing transmission. We audited partner notification for GC in MSM attending an LGBT community sexual health clinic.

Methods:
A retrospective audit over 12 months (2015-16). A total of 33 episodes of GC were diagnosed in 31 patients.  Data was recorded on a spreadsheet for analysis.

Results:
25(76%) were asymptomatic. 29(88%) underwent triple site testing and 4(12%) dual site. Gonorrhoea was detected in the pharynx in 23(70%), urethra in 7(21%), and rectum in 14(42%). 7(21%) had dual and 2(6%) triple site infection. 
29/33(88)% were informed of the diagnosis within 10 days (target 95%). 28/33(85%) were treated within 2 weeks. 6 attended as contacts of GC and were treated on the day they attended. 
A total of 109 contacts were given. 50(46%) were untraceable. Of the traceable contacts, 31/59(53%) were confirmed as treated, 23 at the same clinic.  A total of 0.9 contacts were treated per index case (target 0.6).

Discussion:
The high frequency of unknown casual partners in MSM with GC means there is often inadequate information to trace partners. Nevertheless, this audit has shown good outcomes for partner notification in a community LGBT sexual health clinic. This should contribute to reducing onward transmission in a high risk MSM population.

The clap trap: The effectiveness of partner notification for gonorrhoea in MSM in an LGBT community sexual health clinic

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland