Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases (VDs), are transmitted through various forms of sexual contact or activity. STD’s include: chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus and syphilis. (please visit the BCCDC website or STD Reseources for more information).

Accelerated Chlamydia Trachomatis Immunoproteomic Vaccine Enterprise (ACTIVE)

Principal Investigator: Robert Brunham
Co-Investigator: Leonard Foster
Funder: Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR): Proof of Principle, Phase I
Term: 2007

Chlamydia trachomatis causes more global suffering than most other bacterial pathogens as it infects over 92 million people per year and is linked to 60,000 maternal deaths worldwide. Disease control programs in Canada and elsewhere appear to be failing. If Chlamydia was prevented through immunization, the impact on human health would be enormous by preventing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy and blindness due to trachoma, saving in excess of $13.5 billion per year world wide in treatment and other costs. In conjunction with the University of BC , the BC Centre for Disease Control's Accelerated Chlamydia trachomatis Immunoproteomic Vaccine Enterprise (ACTIVE), aims to develop and secure global access to an affordable, safe and efficacious vaccine for Chlamydia. Utilizing ACTIVE's breakthrough immunoproteomic approach that identifies the Chlamydia proteins that produce a T cell immune response has already generated promising results. If facilitated by the CIHR Proof of Principle Program, in the next few months we expect to validate these potential vaccine-target antigens in vivo to produce optimal immune responses. Given the unique challenges of stimulating intracellular immunity, ACTIVE's vaccine for Chlamydia could well be one of major medical achievements of this century. Developing a new vaccine has huge scientific and financial challenges. By completing the clinical research and human trials for ACTIVE's Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine in publicly funded institutions such as the BCCDC and UBC, as well as addressing intellectual property protection and technology transfer at the early stages of development, ACTIVE hopes to encourage widespread distribution and uptake of the vaccine. Ensuring ACTIVE's vaccine is successfully commercialized and globally accessible will require an innovative strategy that includes strong partnerships between public health, academia, the private sector and government.

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Biological and Immunologenic Evaluation of C. trachomatis Vaccine Candidate Antigens and Formulations

Principal Investigator: Robert Brunham
Funder: Sanofi Aventis
Term: 2005-2007

The project aims to evaluate the biological and immunogenic activities of a variety of Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine candidate antigens and formulations using a murine model of C. trachomatis genital infection. The antigens to be tested have been characterized previously for their ability to confer protection to C. pneumoniae infection in a murine respiratory infection model and we will be transferring these antigens to a murine model of C. trachomatis genital infection. We believe that a thorough analysis of the humoral and cellular immune responses elicited by these antigens in the murine model of C. trachomatis genital infection combined with the evaluation of their ability to protect mice from C. trachomatis infection will allow us to devise multi-subunit vaccine formulations that provide cross-serovar protection against C. trachomatis infection.

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Impact of an Enhance “Positive” Prevention Program for HIV Positive Men who have Sex with Men: Phase I

Principal Investigator: Michael Rekart
Co-Investigator: Gina Ogilvie
Funder: Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research
Term: 2006-2007

The annual number of reported new cases of HIV in British Columbia is increasing and the rates of new infections is significantly higher among men who have sex with men (MSM). This may be due, in part, to an increase in unprotected anal intercourse and other risky behaviours among this group. HIV positive men who continue to contract other sexually transmitted infections demonstrate that they are maintaining high risk behaviours. The reasons for this are many and the dynamics surrounding risk reduction counseling can be complex. The current standard for counseling this population may lack effectiveness in reducing disease transmission.

We would like to develop an Enhanced Counseling Intervention for HIV positive MSM who are maintaining high risk behaviours. This Intervention will be based on behavioural theory and will be developed in consultation with a group of HIV positive MSM. A training program will also be developed to train Intervention Counselors. Once this is complete, the Enhanced Counseling Intervention will be piloted in 6 MSM. This pilot project will consist of 5 one-hour counseling sessions over 9 weeks. After each participant has completed the 9 week pilot period, they will be asked to provide feedback about the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of the intervention.

All this data will be used to design and implement a randomized control trial (RTC) aimed at comparing the impact of the Enhanced Counseling Intervention to the standard counseling HIV positive MSM receive regarding risk reduction. This application is to fund all the above activities leading up to, but excluding, the RTC. Further funding will be sought, at a later date, for the RTC.

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Youth Strengthening the Circle

Six youth, two Elders and five front line workers worked on the ’Youth Strengthening the Circle’ project in 2002 with the focus of prevention of diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, and STDs. The youth developed a video, a workshop game, and an educational/inspirational calendar. The youth trained with Pacific Cinematheque how to film, write a script, direct, act, and edit the video.

The video focuses on the choice a young Aboriginal woman faces in going to a party or going to a pow wow. The video is meant to start discussions on the risks of drugs, alcohol, teen pregnancy, HIV, STDs, and Hepatitis. The game explores the issues Aboriginal youth face today around teen pregnancy, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, suicide, abuse, discrimination, HIV, STDs, and Hepatitis as well as the strengths of youth.

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Chako, Coming of Age

Chee Mamuk brought six youth from different Nations through a month of coming of age training in the summer of 2002. The youth made drums, regalia, and worked on a wall size carving together. We brought in guest speakers to share traditional teachings around topics such as balanced living, respect, and coming of age. We also talked to them about today’s risks of drugs, alcohol, HIV, Hepatitis and STDs. They started the project with a Blessing Ceremony and ended with a Give Away Ceremony.

STD Data Collection

This is an enhanced surveillance study of sexually transmitted diseases and other blood borne pathogens Vancouver ’s Street Youth. The objectives are to report the prevalence rates of STIs and other blood borne pathogens within this population in association to their risk behaviours and to investigate the epidemiology patterns and risk factors associated with the STIs and other blood borne pathogens under study.

Gay Men’s Prevention

This study is a community-based survey of gay men in Vancouver aimed at determining the risks and behaviours gay men have surrounding their sexual health. A survey is administered during the Gay Pride parade in Vancouver . This is a yearly initiative that is being done in collaboration with various community agencies.

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