Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) infections have increased among men who have sex with men and are high among transgender women. Presumptive treatment guidelines may lead to inaccurate treatments and possible antibiotic resistance. Using patient data from AIDS Healthcare Foundation sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing clinics in California and Florida, we identified clinical factors associated with accurate presumptive N. gonorrhoeae treatment. Methods Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using patient visit data from 2013-2017. A sample of 42,050 patient encounters were analyzed. The primary outcome variable included accurate versus inaccurate presumptive treatment. Risk ratios were generated for particular symptoms, high risk sexual behavior, and history of N. gonorrhoeae. Results Twelve percent (5,051/42,050) of patients received presumptive N. gonorrhoeae treatment and 46% (2,329/5,051) of presumptively treated patients tested positive for N. gonorrhoeae infection. Patients presenting with discharge or patients presenting with dysuria were more likely to receive accurate presumptive treatment. Conclusion Providers should continue to follow The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and consider presumptive N. gonorrhoeae treatment based on specific symptoms. As the STI epidemic continues to rise in the United States, along with increased antibiotic resistance, it is imperative to accurately test, diagnose, and treat populations at risk for N. gonorrhoeae and other STIs.

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Much of what is known about hemoglobin relates to its structure and function. However, there is a great deal to learn about its assembly. The application of new technologies has allowed us to investigate the process of hemoglobin synthesis extensively. It has been shown that heme, synthesized in the mitochondria, is exported into the cytoplasm where it rapidly binds with apoglobin synthesized by polyribosomes. In this study,subcellular localization of newly synthesized alpha and beta subunits of human hemoglobin were examined using fluorescence microscopic imaging of cultured human erythroleukemic cells (cell line HEL 92.1.7). Experiments were used to determine the location of newly synthesized protein subunits. This paper will highlight the current knowledge of hemoglobin assembly, function and cellular interactions; and illustrate how cellular labels can be used to investigate this protein. It is hoped that future experiments will help to determine more details of the mechanism of globin assembly, which will be useful in the investigation of hemoglobinopathies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.