Bacterial SIG
Aims
To promote communication between microbiologists and clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infection by:
- Offering courses in specialist areas e.g. microscopy course
- Production of educational material
- Organisation of symposia on new areas
- Arranging update meetings, e.g. syphilis update days
Core Group
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Professor Emeritus Catherine Ison PhD, FRCPath [Chair]
Clinical Scientist, Public Health England - Dr. Achyuta Nori MBBS, MRCP (UK), DipGUM, DipHIV [OGM Organiser]
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust -
Dr. Frances Keane MD, FRCP [Secretary]
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro. -
Dr. Suneeta Soni MRCP [Web Master]
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton -
Dr. Sundar Uthayakumar MMBS, MRCOG, MRCS [Microscopy course coordinator]
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Lister Hospital, Stevenage - Dr. Sheel Patel FRCP [Treasurer]
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
56 Dean Street Clinic, London
Extended group
- Dr. Sarah Alexander PhD [Web Master]
Clinical Scientist (Microbiology)
Public Health England, Colindale, London. - Dr. Elizabeth Claydon FRCP
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
North Devon District Hospital, Devon. - Michelle Cole DBMS
Clinical Scientist, Public Health England - Dr. Rachael Drayton MBChB, MRCP, Dip GUM, DipHIV, DFSRH
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Cardiff - Dr. Helen Fifer BMBS, MRCP, FRCPath
Consultant Microbiologist
Public Health England, Colindale, London. - Dr. Emma Harding-Esch, PhD
Associate Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Dr Patrick Horner MD, FRCP
Consultant Senior Lecturer in Genitourinary Medicine
Bristol University and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol. - Victoria Miari
Principal Scientific Officer and Clinical Scientist
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Dr. Nigel O'Farrell MSc, MD, FRCP
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Ealing Hospital, London. - Alice Pickering
Staff nurse in Sexual Health.
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton - Prof. Tariq Sadiq, MD, FRCP
Professor of Molecular Medicine, St. George’s University
- Dr. Amanda Samarawickrama MBBS, MRCP, DipGUM, DTMH, DFSRH
Consultant Physician in Genitourinary Medicine & HIV
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust/Central London Community Healthcare Trust
- Dr John Saunders PhD, MRCP
Clinical Champion, National Chlamydia Screening Programme
Public Health England, Colindale, London
How to join the BSIG
Any member of BASHH with an interest in bacterial sexually transmitted infections can apply to join the Bacterial Special Interest Steering Group. For informal enquiries please contact members of the Group directly or via admin@bashh.org [BASHH, Chester House, 68 Chestergate, Macclesfield, SK11 6DY, United Kingdom]
Microscopy for Sexually Transmitted Infections DVD
The BSIG of BASHH has produced an educational DVD on "Microscopy for sexually transmittted infections (STIs). The DVD has video demonstrations of how to perform genital examinations of male and female patients and how to take appropropriate samples. Clinical images of common STIs and other genital conditions are shown throughout these sections.
In addition, there are demonstrations of various staining techniques, such as the Gram stain and how to set up a microscope for both brighfield and darkfield microscopy as well as sections on the interpretation of microscopy images. There is a section on genital ulceration and microscopy videos of Trichomonas vaginalis and spirochaetes. The DVD also contains advice on quality assurance and health and safety. Back-up PDF files accompany the video demonstrations.
Feedback from users of the DVD has been uniformly positive; many using it within their departments as a teaching aid for new staff members as well as medical and nursing students.
Please click here for a link to the DVD site, with some sample footage and ordering information
STI Slide Bank
Please find below a bank of test slides and corresponding questions put together by members of the BSIG to assess your microscopy interpretation skills.
BSIG Microscopy Courses
Date: Saturday 21st September 2019
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Venue: |
For more detailed information including programme and registration please Click Here
Microscopy Training
As part of its commitment to training the BSIG have produced the following draft microscopy competency and assessment documents.
The period of consultation is 3 months and all feedback should be sent to Dr. Keane (Frances.Keane@Cornwall.NHS.UK) by the 1st of October.
Microscopy for Sexually Transmitted Infections
appendix 2 Competency assessment
BSIG Annual Reports
Links to other sites
Microbiology
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Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP)
A collaborative project to monitor antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United States - GRASP Report 2015
- GRASP Report 2016
- GRASP Report 2017
- Grasp Report 2018
- WHO Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (GASP)
- Neisseria webpage
- https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/sexually-transmitted-infections-sti
Epidemiology
SHIP (Sexual Health Improvement Programme: http://www.bristolhealthpartners.org.uk/health-integration-teams/sexual-health-improvement-hit/more-about-shipp/) was set up as a Bristol Health Partners Health Integration Team in 2013. It brings together experts from across disciplines to improve the sexual health of people in the region and reduce STIs, supporting the commissioning of evidence-based sexual health services. Our priorities are: increasing uptake of HIV testing; improving STI testing and responding to antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections; increasing patient and public involvement in sexual health and ending stigma; ending domestic violence; reducing health inequalities; implementing informatics and digital transformation; developing a national network for sexual health improvement. A major focus for the next three years will be evaluating and developing strategies, including vaccination, for combating the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in STIs. Stay up-to-date with our newsletters: http://www.hpruei.nihr.ac.uk/publications/ship-news-newsletter-of-the-sexual-health-improvement-programme/
STIRIG (Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Interest Group, based at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) aims to: Help raise awareness of STI-related research being conducted at LSHTM; Increase cross-disciplinary and cross-Faculty work on STIs; Develop internal and external collaborations; Maximise funding opportunities. Find out more at: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres-projects-groups/stirig
Medical Societies
Mycology Network Report
Click here to view the by the Report by the Working Group of the Health Protection Agency Advisory Committee for Fungal Infection and Superficial Parasites, entitled "Fungal Diseases in the UK. The current inadequate provision of support for diagnosis and treatment: assessment and proposed network solution" produced " (Nov 2004)