RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Trichomonas vaginalis and HIV infection acquisition: a systematic review and meta-analysis JF Sexually Transmitted Infections JO Sex Transm Infect FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 36 OP 42 DO 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053713 VO 95 IS 1 A1 Masha, Simon Chengo A1 Cools, Piet A1 Sanders, Eduard J A1 Vaneechoutte, Mario A1 Crucitti, Tania YR 2019 UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/95/1/36.abstract AB Objectives Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent curable STI globally, with the highest incidence and prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). STIs have largely been associated with an increase in HIV acquisition. Our objective was to assess the existing literature available in English regarding the association of Trichomoniasis and HIV-1 acquisition.Methods The review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under number CRD42018082702. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases to collect articles measuring the association of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and HIV acquisition and performed a meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis of the literature.Results We identified 1806 unduplicated citations, of which 18 papers and 1 conference abstract were eligible for inclusion in the review after applying our inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the studies included in the systematic review had been carried out in sSA. The articles reported various measures of effects, namely: HRs, rate ratios, risk ratios and ORs. In a meta-analysis restricted to 11 studies reporting HR, individuals infected with T. vaginalis were 1.5 times more likely to acquire HIV compared with individuals not infected with T. vaginalis (95% CI 1.3 to 1.7; p<0.001).Conclusions T. vaginalis is an important factor in HIV acquisition especially in sSA where the prevalence of both T. vaginalis and HIV-1 are high. This systematic review and meta-analysis confirms the evidence that infection with T. vaginalis augments HIV acquisition with 50%. Diagnosis and treatment of T. vaginalis infection in both high-risk and low-risk individuals may be a potential tool to reduce new HIV infections.Trial registration number CRD42018082702