Investigation of isolated positive syphilis enzyme immunoassay (ICE Murex) results

This study was conducted to determine the significance of an isolated positive (where all other syphilis serology is negative) syphilis enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test (ICE syphilis: Murex Diagnostics) in a sexual health clinic population. There were significantly greater numbers of isolated positive syphilis EIA tests at Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) (22/5478) compared to lower risk populations; Southeastern Sydney antenatal clinics (1/11,560, P<0.01) and Sydney Children's Hospital (0/3550, P<0.01). We conducted a case control study comparing the cases at SSHC with two control groups drawn from the clinic population. A manual review of the case medical records searched for a history of suggested syphilis. Within the 22 cases, 32% had clinical grounds for suspecting that the EIA test signified syphilis. Men reporting homosexual contact in the past 12 months significantly distinguished cases from controls who tested negative for syphilis (OR=6.06). An isolated positive EIA test should prompt further investigation for syphilis, past or present.     

A case of lues maligna in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

We report a case of lues maligna (ulceronodular cutaneous syphilis) mimicking mycosis fungoides in an individual with AIDS and review the literature of this variant of syphilis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. A comparison of the histological similarities and differences between lues maligna, late cutaneous syphilis and mycosis fungoides is also discussed.     

梅毒螺旋体IgM抗体检测在梅毒诊断中的意义

目的 探讨检测血清梅毒螺旋体IgM抗体在梅毒诊断中的临床意义.方法 北京佑安医院性病门诊就诊者中已确诊为不同临床分期梅毒患者207例,治疗前采用免疫印迹法(TP-IgM-WB)检测血清中的IgM抗体同时进行快速血浆反应素环状卡片试验(RPR).患者规范治疗后,每3个月复查1次,1年后每半年复查1次,随访两年.首次RPR...     

Unilateral penile swelling: an unusual presentation of primary syphilis?

Primary syphilis is characterized by a solitary, painless, indurated ulcer (chancre) at the site of inoculation, with associated inguinal lymph nodes that are enlarged, rubbery, painless and discrete. We report a case of syphilis that presented with penile swelling associated with tender lymphadenopathy and review the literature concerning this unusual presentation of early syphilis.     

Penetrating ulcer of ascending thoracic aorta in syphilis.

Penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) are rare exotic pathological entities, classically located in the descending thoracic aorta. Their association with syphilis has never been reported. We describe a first case of a patient with cardiovascular syphilis presenting as PAU in the ascending aorta.     

Early syphilitic hepatitis in an immunocompetent patient: really so uncommon?

The incidence of syphilis has increased substantially over the past years, particularly in men who have sex with men. The clinical manifestations of syphilis are variable and liver involvement is uncommon, but may occur at any stage of the disease. We report a case of early syphilitic hepatitis (ESH) in an immunocompetent patient referring multiple bisexual exposures, who presented at admission with jaundice, tiredness, an ulcerated genital lesion and an increase of liver aminotransferases. During his hospital stay, he developed a skin rash, and serology for syphilis was found positive. Our case report strengthens the need to take into consideration the diagnosis of ESH in all patients with unexplained liver enzyme increase and epidemiological data of unsafe sexual exposures. Indeed, an early recognition of the clinical manifestations of syphilis can lead to a prompt treatment, and allows the prevention of the transmission of this disease to other individuals.     

Persons with early syphilis identified through blood or plasma donation screening in the United States

The number of persons with early syphilis who donated blood between 1995 and 2000 in the United States was estimated using data collected in the National Electronic Telecommunication System for Surveillance (NETSS). To distinguish paid from volunteer donors, cases reported in 2000 were analyzed. For the 6 years, 22 primary, 81 secondary, and 413 early latent syphilis cases were identified through donation screening. In 2000, 69 cases of early syphilis were identified through donation screening in 16 states. In 6 states that reported 53 of these cases, 31 case subjects (58%) were volunteer donors and 22 (42%) were paid donors. Eighty-one percent of volunteer donors and 64% of paid donors reported no risk factors for syphilis. After adjustment for variation in NETSS use, it was estimated that, over the 6 years, approximately 1200 cases of early syphilis were detected nationally through donation screening, and 58% of the case subjects were volunteer donors.     

A case of gastric syphilis with neurosyphilis presented as epigastric pain

Gastric syphilis has non-specific symptoms and various endoscopic and radiographic findings. Spirochetes are seen infrequently in biopsy specimens and the pathological findings are often non-specific. So it is very difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of gastric syphilis based on clinical symptoms and biopsy findings. We report the case of a gastric syphilis with neurosyphilis presented with epigastric pain. This case reminds us that gastric syphilis is one possibility in ulcerative gastric lesions.     

New HIV cases attributable to syphilis in the USA: estimates from a simplified transmission model.

OBJECTIVE: Because syphilis can raise the likelihood of HIV transmission and acquisition, syphilis prevention in the USA has the potential benefit of reducing the number of new cases of HIV. We developed a simplified transmission model to estimate the annual number and cost of new, heterosexually-acquired HIV cases in the USA attributable to syphilis. DESIGN: We estimated the number of heterosexual, HIV serodiscordant partnerships in which syphilis was present in 1996. The model included the probability of transmission of HIV (with and without the presence of syphilis) and other parameters based on data from recent literature. Published direct costs (HIV treatment costs including antiretroviral therapy) and indirect costs (e.g., lost productivity) per case of HIV were used to estimate the annual cost of HIV cases attributable to syphilis. The potential savings in averted HIV costs related to syphilis were used to estimate the potential benefits of a syphilis elimination program. RESULTS: In 1996, an estimated 1082 new heterosexual cases of HIV in the USA could be attributed to syphilis. These cases represented direct costs of US$ 211 million and indirect costs of US$ 541 million; yielding US$ 752 million in total costs. Over 15 years, a syphilis elimination program could save over US$ 833 million (discounted at 3% annually) in averted direct medical costs of syphilis-related HIV infections. CONCLUSIONS: If the only benefit of syphilis elimination were to prevent new HIV cases attributable to syphilis, a national syphilis elimination program costing less than US$ 833 million would probably pay for itself.     

3024例梅毒临床流行病学分析

目的　研究 1992～ 1998年梅毒的临床流行病学状况、高发年龄、男女比例、就诊原因和治疗情况 ,为性病及艾滋病防治措施提供第一手的临床资料。方法　 30 2 4例梅毒按统一标准进行诊断和治疗 ,使用统一的登记表格 ,由性病专科医生统一填写 ,汇总、统计和分析。结果与结论　①梅毒发病逐渐增多 ,要引起足够的警惕 ;梅毒与艾滋病有着极大的关联 ,研究和防治梅毒已成为控制艾滋病的一项重要策略 ;②外地流动人员梅毒的发病亦逐渐增多 ,对这部分人群的宣传教育工作不能忽略 ;③治疗时对有青霉素过敏而无头孢交叉过敏的患者 ,可以考虑使用头孢三嗪     

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 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.     

Gastric syphilis: infrequent presentation of a common disease

A stenosing antral lesion was diagnosed in a patient with previous ulcer dyspepsia. Radiology, gastroscopy and serology made the diagnosis of gastric syphilis. The lesion disappeared with specific therapy. We present this case because of its rare gastric onset (0.3%) among visceral syphilis, though sexual transmission diseases are increasing nowadays.     

Syphilitic Gastritis in an HIV-infected Individual

We report the first known case of syphilitic gastritis in an HIV-infected person. The presentation of nonspecific abdominal pain and weight loss in a 48-yr-old former intravenous drug user previously treated for asymptomatic syphilis led to a barium swallow which demonstrated linitis plastica. Upper endoscopy reinforced a suspicion of carcinoma, but biopsy made the diagnosis of syphilis by silver staining. Further testing revealed a positive serology for syphilis as well as HIV infection with a depressed CD-4 lymphocyte count. Treatment with parenteral penicillin led to a rapid resolution of symptoms. This case represents a rare complication of late syphilis, and is another example of the unusual manifestations of syphilis seen in the HIV-infected population.     

One-Year Follow-Up of Relapse to Risky Behaviors and Incidence of Syphilis Among Patients Enrolled in the HIV Case Management Program

A longitudinal prospective study was conducted at an AIDS designated hospital in Taiwan. The study aimed to determine the incidence of syphilis and to identify risk factors predicting new onset syphilis and relapse into risky behaviors among 117 patients enrolled in the HIV case management program for 1 year. Having a new episode of syphilis was defined as patients had a fourfold increase of serum rapid plasma reagin titers from baseline to 12-month follow-up. After enrollment, 17% relapsed in unprotected sexual intercourse. New onset syphilis was noted in ten (10.4%) participants, and all were men having sex with men. The incidence of syphilis was 5.8 per 100 person-years. Predictors of a new episode of syphilis were higher CD4 cell counts [hazard ratio (HR), 1.003; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00–1.006], and recreational drug use (HR, 18.89; 95% CI, 2.78–128.15). Regular screening for syphilis among patients retaining in HIV care remains necessary.     

Primary syphilis of the urethral meatus complicated by urethral stricture

A 27-year-old man who has sex with men presented with a painful lesion at the urethral meatus. A diagnosis of genital herpes was suspected, and initial tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis serology, were negative. However, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab for Treponema pallidum from the lesion was positive, and a diagnosis of chancre of primary syphilis at the meatus was made. Subsequently, the patient required urological surgery due to the formation of a urethral stricture. Chancre at the meatus and development of stricture are unusual complications of syphilis that may become more common in the future with increasing case numbers. We also discuss the development of PCR as a useful test for early primary syphilis.     

内蒙古4盟市后天梅毒报告病例数据质量调查

目的 了解内蒙古自治区梅毒报告病例数据的质量,发现存在的问题,提出改进措施.方法 选取2018年7月1日—2019年6月30日内蒙古自治区4个盟市的30家医疗机构的895例后天梅毒报告病例进行调查,包括核对传染病报告卡、临床和实验室原始资料等,评价其信息质量指标和诊断质量指标.结果 4个盟市的报卡填写完整率、正确率、信...     

Relapse of early syphilis on first line treatment

We describe a case of a heterosexual HIV-negative man treated for primary syphilis with oral doxycycline in accordance with Clinical Effectiveness Group guidelines for treatment of early syphilis. Following an initial adequate response, he developed secondary syphilis three months later. We discuss the most likely cause of this relapse and the significance of such cases in the context of an outbreak of syphilis.     

Factors associated with a clinician's offer of screening HIV-positive patients for sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis

This retrospective study assessed whether Quality Improvement Scotland national standards for the sexual health care offered to HIV-positive individuals are being met by the Edinburgh genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic; specifically whether HIV-positive patients are offered: (a) sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening annually and (b) syphilis testing six-monthly. The study also reviewed what factors were associated with a clinician's offer of STI screening and syphilis testing. Of the 509 patients seen within the study period, case notes documented that 64% were offered STI screens, and 69% were offered syphilis testing, results consistent with audits of services elsewhere. Sexual orientation (P < 0.0005), relationship status (P = 0.007) and receipt of antiretrovirals (P = 0.001) were independent predictors of clinician offer of STI screening, while gender (P < 0.0005) and receipt of antiretrovirals (P = 0.063) were independent predictors of offer of syphilis testing. Our results suggest that one explanation for clinicians failing to offer STI screens and syphilis serology testing is their (implicit) risk assessment that STI testing is not required in individual patients.     

Notifying partners of patients with early syphilis in Madagascar: case‐finding effectiveness and public health implications

Objective To evaluate the case‐finding effectiveness of a clinic‐based partner notification effort for early syphilis in Madagascar. Methods We asked index cases who had proven early syphilis to identify and provide contact information of recent sex partners (in the past 3, 6, and 12 months for primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis, respectively). Named sex partners were contacted by index cases (patient notification) or, if approved by the index case, clinic staff members (provider notification); notified of their potential exposure to syphilis; and asked to come to the clinic for evaluation. We assessed case‐finding effectiveness and calculated the ‘brought‐to‐treatment’ index (number of newly‐diagnosed syphilis cases per number of index cases interviewed). Results Of 565 index cases, 534 reported recent sex with at least one sex partner. A total of 3167 sex partners were reported, of whom 276 were contactable (9% of 3167). Providers notified 76% and cases notified 24% of these partners. 270 partners were contacted (98% of 276), and of these, 199 presented to the clinic for evaluation (74% of 270). A total of 99 partners tested positive for syphilis and received treatment (50% of 199). The ‘brought‐to‐treatment’ index was 0.18 (99 diagnoses per 565 index cases). Conclusion Partner notification was possible in this setting, resulting in treatment of syphilis‐infected individuals who otherwise would likely have remained untreated. However, given <10% of the partners reported by index cases were contactable; the results highlight the limitations of partner notification and the need for additional sexually transmitted infection control strategies.