The syphilis outbreak in Northern Ireland

Since the late 1990s, there has been a resurgence of infectious syphilis, with notable outbreaks in Brighton, Manchester, London and Dublin, predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM). We report a similar outbreak in Northern Ireland. Genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic attendees were assessed from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2005 to identify those who met the agreed criteria for primary, secondary or early latent syphilis. In total, 161 individuals were diagnosed with syphilis and 121 were MSM. Sixteen individuals indicated a contact in Dublin as the likely source of infection. Thirty were identified through contact tracing. Over half contracted the infection through oral intercourse. Most (106) had one or two partners in the previous three months. Twelve cases were HIV positive (nine were aware of their status at the time of presumed infection). In conclusion, initially, cases acquired their infection in Dublin and, as the outbreak gained momentum, syphilis was contracted within Northern Ireland. The cohort was not generally associated with a high number of sexual contacts, multiple anonymous partners or specific locations. The challenge is to educate both patients and health-care professionals to sexual health issues; specifically, the risk associated with casual oral sex by MSM.     

The epidemiology of infectious syphilis in the Republic of Ireland

In response to the increasing numbers of syphilis cases reported among men having sex with men (MSM) in Dublin, an Outbreak Control Team (OCT) was set up in late 2000. The outbreak peaked in 2001 and had largely ceased by late 2003. An enhanced syphilis surveillance system was introduced to capture data from January 2000. Between January 2000 and December 2003, 547 cases of infectious syphilis were notified in Ireland (415 were MSM). Four per cent of cases were diagnosed with HIV and 15.4% of cases were diagnosed with at least one other STI (excluding HIV) within the previous 3 months. The mean number of contacts reported by male cases in the 3 months prior to diagnosis was 4 (range 0-8) for bisexual contacts and 6 for homosexual contacts (range 1-90). Thirty one per cent of MSM reported having had recent unprotected oral sex and 15.9% of MSM reported having had recent unprotected anal sex. Sixteen per cent of cases reported having had sex abroad in the three months prior to diagnosis. The results suggest that risky sexual behaviour contributed to the onward transmission of infection in Dublin. The outbreak in Dublin could be seen as part of a European-wide outbreak of syphilis. The rates of co-infection with HIV and syphilis in Ireland are comparable with rates reported from other centres. There is a need to improve surveillance systems in order to allow real time evaluation of interventions and ongoing monitoring of infection trends.     

Gay Asian men in San Francisco follow the international trend: increases in rates of unprotected anal intercourse and sexually transmitted diseases, 1999-2002.

Worldwide, studies of men who have sex with men (MSM) report increases in HIV risk-related behavior. Less is known about trends within minority subpopulations of MSM, particularly those of Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) ethnicity. A&PI MSM are underrepresented among AIDS cases (2.7%) with respect to their estimated makeup in the gay community of San Francisco (4.5%). However, recent trends in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and sexually transmitted diseases suggest a reversal in the relative risk for HIV among A&PI MSM compared with White MSM. Starting from lower levels in 1999, UAI with multiple partners, UAI with multiple partners of unknown HIV serostatus, the incidence of male rectal gonorrhea, and the incidence of early syphilis among A&PI MSM surpassed levels among White MSM by 2002. A window of opportunity to prevent further spread of HIV among A&PI MSM may be closing.     

HIV,syphilis and heterosexual bridging among Peruvian men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of and risk factors associated with HIV and syphilis seropositivity and estimate incidence of HIV infection among Peruvian men who have sex with men (MSM) and characterize behaviors of men who report sex with both men and women ('bridgers'). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of MSM in Lima, Peru. METHODS: Four-hundred and fifty-one MSM (of whom 442 responded to the question regarding sexual orientation) recruited through street outreach. Each was interviewed and underwent serologic testing for syphilis and HIV, including the less sensitive enzyme immunoassay test to estimate HIV incidence. RESULTS: Overall, HIV and syphilis prevalence were 18.5% and 16.0%, respectively, with highest prevalence among cross-dressers (33.3% and 51.1%, respectively). The estimated overall HIV seroincidence was 11.2% per year (95% confidence interval, 4.8-23.6). Overall, 47.1% of men reported ever having sex with a woman: 78.6% of men self-identifying as heterosexuals, 85.1% of bisexuals, 35.5% of homosexuals, and 12.5% of cross-dressers. Of these, 26.5% were 'bridgers', of whom 55% reported two or more female partners during the last year. 'Bridgers' were less likely to have always used condoms during the past year for vaginal sex (17%) than for insertive anal sex with men (25.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Among MSM in Peru, HIV and syphilis prevalence and HIV incidence were high, especially among cross-dressers. The high prevalence of bisexuality and low rates of consistent condom use, especially with female sexual partners indicates potential HIV transmission into the heterosexual population.     

Clinical manifestations of primary syphilis in homosexual men

At the beginning of a new millennium, syphilis incidence has been increasing worldwide, occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The clinical features of primary syphilis among MSM is described, a case-note review of the primary syphilis (PS) patients who attended the Institute of Skin and Venereal Diseases. The diagnosis was assessed based upon the clinical features and positive syphilis serology tests. Among 25 patients with early syphilis referred during 2010, PS was diagnosed in a total of 13 cases. In all patients, unprotected oral sex was the only possible route of transmission, and two out of 13 patients had HIV co-infection. Overall, 77% of men presented with atypical penile manifestation. The VDRL test was positive with low titers. The numerous atypical clinical presentations of PS emphasize the importance of continuing education of non-experienced physicians, especially in countries with lower reported incidence of syphilis.     

Syphilis surveillance in France, 2000-2003

This article describes syphilis trends, characteristics of patients from 2000 to 2003 in France and trends of the benzylpenicillin benzathine 2.4 million UI sales from 2001 to 2003. The ongoing surveillance system for syphilis case reporting since 2001 has been set up in volunteer settings, mostly public settings where STI treatment is offered. Clinical case reporting is complemented by sexual behavioural data based on a self-administered questionnaire. From 2000 to 2003, 1089 syphilis cases were reported in France, increasing from 37 cases in 2000 to 428 in 2003. Overall, 96% of syphilis cases were in men with a mean age of 36.5 years and 70% of whom were born in France. The proportion of syphilis cases with HIV co-infection decreased over time from 60% in 2000 to 33% in 2003. The most affected area by the syphilis epidemic is the Ile-de-France region, mainly the city of Paris. The greatest proportion of syphilis cases diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM) were in the Ile-de-France region, where they made up 87% of cases, compared with 75% in other regions. Among the patients who completed the self-administered questionnaire on sexual behaviour, 83% reported having casual sex partners in the 3 months prior to their syphilis diagnosis. Trends in the sales of benzylpenicillin benzathine 2.4 million UI in private pharmacies are similar to those observed in the surveillance system, and increased between 2001 and 2003. In conclusion, syphilis transmission is still ongoing in France in 2003 and the role of unprotected oral sex in the transmission of syphilis should be emphasised.     

Epidemiology of an outbreak of infectious syphilis in Alberta.

An outbreak of 1089 cases of infectious syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent) which occurred in the province of Alberta from 1981 to 1987 was analysed by stage of disease, age, sex, sexual preference and geographic distribution. The majority of cases occurred between 1983 and 1985 inclusive. Men accounted for 75.8% of the study population. The majority of men (71%) and women (98.5%) were heterosexual. Of the infected women, 58.7% were North American Indians and many worked as prostitutes. There was clustering in urban locations with 71.8% and 17.7% of cases reported in Edmonton and Calgary, respectively. Clinical signs of syphilis were more commonly present in men than women. Contact tracing played an important role in controlling the outbreak with 15.9% of men and 44.7% of women being diagnosed and treated as a result of this activity.     

Syphilis resurgence in Dublin, Ireland

A large outbreak of syphilis was reported in Dublin, Ireland, in 2001. The mean age of patients in 2001 was 35 years and 22.5% of patients were HIV-positive. The number of new cases decreased from 2003 on, however, new diagnoses have again increased. All positive syphilis serology results from 2007-09 were identified. Patients were included if they had a newly positive syphilis serology or, in the case of patients with previously treated syphilis, had a four-fold rise in rapid plasma reagin titre. Four hundred and thirty-nine new diagnoses of syphilis were made. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 35.7 years (range 17-73 years). Four hundred and twelve (93.8%) cases occurred in men. Three hundred and eighty-one (86.8%) cases occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM). The estimated crude incidence rate among MSM is 378.16 per 100,000 population. Where known, 126/421 (28.7%) occurred in HIV-positive patients. Sixty-eight (15.5%) episodes of syphilis infection were diagnosed in patients who had had previously been diagnosed and treated for syphilis; 43/68 (63.2%) cases of re-infection occurred in HIV-positive patients. The rising number of syphilis diagnoses and high associated HIV co-infection rate is concerning and prevention efforts must continue to decrease the number of new syphilis cases.     

Syphilis in Denmark-Outbreak among MSM in Copenhagen, 2003-2004

Denmark is currently experiencing an outbreak of syphilis that began in 2003 and has continued in 2004. Data from the national surveillance system show that most cases are in men who have sex with men (MSM), and that a large proportion of these patients are also HIV positive. The proportion of known HIV positive cases in MSM notified with syphilis during the outbreak has, however, not been significantly different from previous years. The majority of cases were reported from Copenhagen municipality, and 70% of the cases were acquired domestically. The outbreak does not seem to be affecting the age group under 20 years. We speculate that most of the MSM found with both syphilis and HIV were already HIV positive when they acquired syphilis infection.     

Study confirms the link between MSM and web. San Francisco officials use on-line interventions

When the number of early syphilis cases in San Francisco increased from 41 in 1998 to 495 in 2002, and more than two-thirds of these cases also were HIV-positive, health department officials decided that new prevention interventions were needed. The syphilis outbreak also was notable in how it mainly involved men who have sex with men (MSM) by 2002. In 1998, only 22% of the early syphilis cases involved MSM, whereas in 2002, 88% involved MSM. Investigators with the San Francisco Department of Public Health discovered that a significant majority of the MSM syphilis cases listed the Internet as venue for meeting sexual partners.     

204例MSM人群HIV／梅毒感染状况及行为学特征分析

目的了解天津市部分男男同性性行为人群（MSM）艾滋病相关危险行为,以及艾滋病病毒（HIV）、梅毒（SP）感染状况,为预防性病、艾滋病传播提供依据。方法采用横断面调查,对进入酒吧的男同性恋者进行问卷调查,同时抽取血样进行梅毒和HIV的实验室检测。结果调查的204人中,HIV感染率为5．9％,梅毒感染率为18．7％。艾滋病知识知晓率为81．4％,近6个月每次性行为均使用安全套的比例为47．9％,HIv感染者安全套使用率低,仅为11．1％,71．4％的HIV感染者最近6个月存在多性伴现象。结论天津市MSM人群危险性行为普遍存在,安全套使用率低,HIV、梅毒感染率较高,应加强对该人群艾滋病性病相关的宣传教育及干预工作,控制HIv的传播。     

山东省男男性行为人群艾滋病梅毒感染率及其影响因素

目的了解山东省男男同性性行为人群(MSM)艾滋病病毒(HIV)、梅毒感染状况及其影响因素,为进一步做好MSM艾滋病防治工作提供依据。方法 2010年4-7月,按照多阶段整群随机抽样方法选取MSM人群,由经过统一培训的调查员对MSM进行面对面问卷调查,抽取静脉血检测艾滋病、梅毒抗体,对影响HIV、梅毒感染的因素进行Logistic回归分析。结果共调查3 200名MSM,收集有效问卷3 086份,有效问卷率96.44%,采集血液标本3 073份。调查对象最小15岁,最大74岁,平均年龄为(26.36±6.38)岁。最近六个月与同性发生过肛交性行为者占72.68%(2 243/3 086),其中每次都使用安全套者占32.59%(731/2 243);最近六个月与同性发生商业性行为者占11.83%(365/3 086),最近六个月与异性发生性行为者占22.72%(701/3 086)。HIV抗体阳性检出率1.01%(31/3 073),梅毒抗体阳性检出率4.69%(144/3 073)。Logistic回归分析显示,年龄较大、最近六个月发生同性肛交性行为、最近一年患过性病、没有接受安全套宣传发放服务,是HIV/梅毒感染的危险因素。结论山东省MSM人群HIV感染率较低,但梅毒感染率较高,提示MSM人群存在HIV广泛传播的可能性,需要在MSM人群中进一步加强艾滋病宣传和行为干预。     

Potential Bridges for HIV Infection to Men Who Have Sex With Men in Guangzhou,China

To assess the potential for HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou, China, we conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, face-to-face survey of MSM in the metropolitan area of Guangzhou, China. As a pilot recruitment for a cohort study, participants were recruited by convenience sampling through newspaper and television advertising, website information, and respondent referral. Blood samples were tested for HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis. Client-centered HIV and STD counseling was provided.A total of 201 MSM were interviewed and 200 blood samples were tested. The prevalence of HIV antibody was 0% (97.5% CI 0–1.8%); 17.5% of MSM were HBV surface antigen positive; 1.0% had HCV antibodies; 10.5% had antibodies to syphilis. Syphilis seropositivity was associated with sex with a foreign MSM in the last six months and 10.4% reported sex with a foreign MSM overall. The majority (54.7%) reported unprotected anal sex with other men. Nearly one-third (31.8%) had regular female partners; 25.9% were currently married to a woman; 6% had casual female partners; 4.5% had sex with a female sex worker; 4.5% had sex with a male sex worker; and 12.9% had unprotected vaginal sex and unprotected anal sex with a man in the past six months. Only one MSM reported injection drug use (0.5%). The currently low prevalence of HIV but high level of unprotected anal sex, high prevalence of syphilis infection, and sexual networks that include foreign MSM point to a transient window for HIV prevention among MSM in Guangzhou. We recognize challenges to recruiting a representative sample of MSM and retaining them in longitudinal cohort studies.     

A syphilis outbreak: recent trends in infectious syphilis in Birmingham, UK, in 2005 and control strategies

The objective of this study was to identify the demographic characteristics and sexual behaviour associated with primary, secondary and early latent syphilis in Birmingham and its epidemiologic and public health implications. All new patients diagnosed as having infectious syphilis in a genitourinary service in Birmingham in the period from January 2005 to December 2005 were studied retrospectively (history, physical examination, serology) to determine the stage of their disease. During the 12-month period, 69 new cases of primary, secondary and early latent syphilis were diagnosed. Patients were most commonly male (96%), aged between 20 and 44 years, symptomatic (84%) and were white men who had sex with men or Asian/Black Caribbean heterosexual men. Unemployment and having multiple partners were common in infected patients. Based on the results of this study, control measures are being undertaken, using enhanced surveillance, to focus on appropriate health promotion initiatives.     

STI surveillance by a sentinel network of physicians in Belgium

The STI sentinel surveillance network by physicians in Belgium started in 2000. During 4 months a year, from October until January, STI patients were registered using a standardized protocol. The main goal is to determine STI incidence trends by comparing the results of the analyses using the data of the physicians that registered in all registration periods (Oct. 2000-Jan. 2001; Oct. 2001-Jan. 2002; Oct. 2002-Jan. 2003; Oct. 2003-Jan. 2004). Between the registration periods 2000-2001 and 2002-2003, there was a significant increase in the number of syphilis diagnoses (p<0.01), largely attributable to infections in men who have sex with men (MSM). A high proportion of MSM with syphilis were HIV positive. 83% of HIV positive MSM were already aware of their HIV positive status. The proportion of STI patients with HIV co-infection increased significantly throughout the different periods (from 7.4% in 2000-2001 to 18.1% in 2003-2004; p<0.01). These findings emphasize the importance of the proposal of a HIV test in a STI patient and call for intensification of prevention measures, particularly in MSM and people living with HIV.     

Recently acquired syphilis in the elderly population.

Despite the dramatic rise in syphilis incidence in the United States, studies on recently acquired syphilis in persons more than 60 years of age remain rare. Thirty-five cases of primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis in individuals 60 years and older were identified in the city of Hartford, Conn, between 1985 and 1990. There were no cases of early syphilis in the elderly reported from 1985 to 1986, whereas there were 23 cases reported from 1989 to 1990. Thirty-three cases occurred in men and two cases occurred in women; 25 patients were black, five were white, and five were Hispanic. Ten men reported having more than one sexual partner within 2 months of their diagnosis; five of these 10 had sexual relations with a prostitute. Physicians who care for the elderly should perform a complete sexual history and counsel patients regarding high-risk sexual practices.     

Syphilis outbreak in Walsall, UK: lessons for control and prevention

An assessment of risk-taking behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending a sauna venue was undertaken, using a standardized questionnaire, after which outreach screening was introduced targeting MSM. The epidemiology of the continuing outbreak of syphilis was reviewed to determine the factors driving the outbreak and assess the benefit of continuing outreach screening. Findings among the 163 respondents at the sauna included a high rate of casual sex and a tendency not to disclose HIV status. Over 12 months, 51 cases of early syphilis were recorded. Our review showed a decline in incidence in MSM after outreach screening, but an increase in heterosexual spread. Given the frequent anonymous nature of syphilis transmission, traditional contact tracing is ineffective. Outreach screening is required at gay venues and other community settings to target at-risk populations.     

新疆乌鲁木齐市男性同性恋人群检测结果分析

目的 了解乌鲁木齐市男性同性恋人群(MSM)中HIV、HCV、梅毒感染情况,并应用HIV-1 BED-CEIA新近感染检测方法估计乌鲁木齐市男性同性恋人群的发病率.方法 利用网络招募方式获得求询者145名,采集血清样品143份进行HIV,HCV的ELISA初筛,对HIV阳性反应标本进行WB确证及HIV-1 BED-CEIA新近感染检测;143名求询者的样品进行梅毒RPR初筛和梅毒TPPA确认.结果 网络招募男性同性恋人群(MSM)中HIV阳性8名,检出率5.6%(8/143);HIV-1 BED-CEIA方法检出4名新近感染估计发病率6.74% (CI 0.13%～13.35%);梅毒阳性14名检出率9.8%;HCV均为阴性.结论 (1)男性同性恋人群(MSM)HIV感染率与HIV-1 BED-CEIA估计发病率较接近;(2)网络招募男性同性恋人群(MSM)梅毒的检出率比较高,其中有2名招募者HIV与梅毒合并感染;性病是HIV和HCV传播的协同因素,相对危险度均大于1(RR＞1).     

深圳市罗湖区MSM的HIV感染情况及相关危险因素

目的了解深圳市罗湖区男男性行为人群（MSM）艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染情况及相关危险因素。方法采用以时间场所抽样调查方法,在最佳时段,在MSM活动场所招募MSM进行问卷调查,并采集血样检测HIV、梅毒和丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）抗体。HIV感染的相关危险因素采用Logistic回归模型进行分析。结果 2008年4月至2009年11月共招募MSM 870名,HIV检测阳性率为4.5%（39例）,梅毒阳性率为11.7%（102例）,HCV阳性率为0.9%（8例）。74.5%的MSM向男性提供过商业性性服务。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,招募场所为家庭会所或桑拿、性取向为同性恋以及梅毒阳性,分别是MSM感染HIV的危险因素。结论罗湖区从事商业性性服务的MSM比例较高,桑拿及家庭会所感染率较高,应考虑在现有干预方案基础上增加针对性的有效干预措施。     

青岛地区MSM中HIV/梅毒及尖锐湿疣的感染情况

目的了解青岛地区男男性行为人群（MSM）艾滋病病毒（HIV）/梅毒及尖锐湿疣的感染情况。方法利用中盖项目支持平台,对前来接受干预检测的MSM进行相关查体及实验室检查。结果 687名MSM共检出尖锐湿疣41例,检出率为5.97%;梅毒89例,检出率为12.95%;HIV 8例,检出率1.16%。8例HIV阳性患者中,3例合并CA,4例合并梅毒;2例CA患者同时伴有HIV、梅毒阳性;89例梅毒阳性患者中,19例合并CA。结论 MSM中HIV、梅毒及尖锐湿疣感染情况严重,提示临床医生在对MSM的梅毒、尖锐湿疣患者诊治的同时,应注重HIV的检测。