Screening for syphilis among homosexual men in bars and saunas in Amsterdam.

Serological screening of 1627 homosexual men visiting two saunas and two bars in Amsterdam showed that 32.2% were seroreactive for syphilis. The 18-month study period ended in June 1981. Follow-up was possible in 91% (224/245) of subjects with both positive TPHA and VDRL test results; 76 cases of previously undetected syphilis were identified among 75 of the 224 men (incidence rate 4.6%). The rate of previously undetected syphilis declined appreciably during the study period. The cost of identifying one new case of syphilis was Df1577 (pounds 120 or US $ 220).     

A population-based serosurveillance of syphilis in Costa Rica

As part of a case-control study to investigate the high incidence of cervical cancer in Costa Rican women, the seroprevalence of the treponematoses, in particular, syphilis was determined. In each age group, women with a history of two or more sex partners were two to four times more likely to be seroreactive in tests for syphilis than women with zero or one sex partner. The highest percentage of reactive results in the microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP) was seen in samples from women aged 50-59 who had had two or more lifetime partners (23.8%). Three observations from our study support reactivity due to syphilis rather than yaws or pinta: (1) a similar percent of reactive rapid plasma reagin (RPR) card test results among MHA-TP reactors in the two age groups of women who were surveyed (42 vs. 49%) was observed; (2) women who were seroreactive in the MHA-TP had multiple risk factors for STD [low socioeconomic status (9.4%), urban residence (22.8%), first intercourse under 16 years of age (14.1%), and multiple sex partners (26.3%)], and (3) only sexually experienced women had reactive results in the MHA-TP test.     

Serological pattern of hepatitis B virus markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, IgM anti-HBc and HBV specific DNA polymerase) in leprosy patients

Sera of 134 lepromatous (LL/BL) and 57 tuberculoid (TT/BT) leprosy patients were analysed for four HBV markers. HBsAg was detected in 6.71% of lepromatous and 3.5% of tuberculoid sera. The per cent positivity of lepromatous and tuberculoid sera for anti-HBs antibodies was 30.59% and 35.08%, respectively. The positivity of normal sera for HBsAg and anti-HBs was 3.60% and 21.69%, respectively. The difference in the positivity of three groups of sera (lepromatous, tuberculoid and normal) for HBsAg or anti-HBs was not statistically significant. Anti-HBc (IgM) antibodies were detected in 6% of lepromatous sera. HBV-specific DNA-polymerase activity was found in 22.22% of HBsAg positive (but anti-HBc negative) sera, and 66.66% of anti-HBc positive (but HBsAg negative) sera. The pattern of acute HBV infection in leprosy patients followed the typical pattern prevalent in the normal population.     

输血前患者血HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和梅毒抗体检测结果临床研究

目的:观察输血前患者血乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)、丙肝抗体(抗HCV)、艾滋病抗体(抗HIV)和梅毒抗体检测结果。方法:取医院输血治疗患者3542例,治疗前对患者采用化学发光免疫测定(CLIA)法和ELISA法检测血清标本中血HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和梅毒抗体指标,分析其检测结果并提出相应的解决对策。结果:3542例输血患者中704例血HBsAg阳性,52例抗HCV阳性、3例抗HIV阳性,200例梅毒抗体阳性;男性血HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和梅毒抗体感染率,高于女性(P0.05)。3542例输血患者中不同年龄段均存在血HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和梅毒抗体感,对于血HBsAg、抗HCV多发生在21~40岁年龄段;抗HIV多发生在41~60岁年龄段;梅毒抗体发生在41~60岁年龄段。959例血HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和梅毒抗体感染病例分布科室较多,排在前三位分别为消化内科、普外科及肿瘤科,分别占33.98%、20.96%及17.00%。结论:输血前加强患者血HBsAg、抗HCV、抗HIV和梅毒抗体指标检测,能降低血液传染性疾病发生率,值得推广应用。     

Hepatitis B virus markers in prostitutes in Singapore.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in 121 men and 239 women prostitutes was studied. Of 33 (9.7%) with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), nine (27.3%) also had hepatitis Be antigen, which was more prevalent in men than women. Antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were found in about 71% of men and women prostitutes. Hepatitis B virus markers were more prevalent in men than in women prostitutes. Compared with other people, prostitutes had a significantly greater prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers. This study strongly suggested the importance of sexual transmission of infection with hepatitis B virus in a country where infection is endemic.     

Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B virus infection in STD clinic attendees in Pune,India

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among patients attending three STD clinics in Pune, India, and to identify associated risk factors. METHODS: Of the 2098 patients screened at STD clinics in Pune during 1996, 497, who returned for at least one follow up visit, were screened for various markers of HBV infection (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc), HIV antibody, and VDRL. RESULTS: Of the 497 participants 3.6%, 26.5%, and 43.2% were positive for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc respectively. Tattooing (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.64) was found to be independently associated with presence of core antibody. Additionally, history of being in commercial sex work and history of a genital ulcer were independently associated with a positive anti-HBc antibody test (AOR 12.45, 95% CI 5.58 to 27.82 and AOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.66, respectively). 72 out of 497 (14.5%) participants were HIV positive at baseline. HIV-1 antibody positive patients were more likely to have a positive anti-HBc test (69.4% v 39.0%, p<0.001). 30 out of 282 participants, negative for anti-HBc antibody at enrolment, seroconverted subsequently, resulting in an incidence of 10.86 per 100 person years (95% CI 7.2%, 14.5%) (mean and accumulated follow up of 11.7 months and 276.17 person years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence and incidence of HBV infection, seen in STD clinic attendees underscore the need to provide HBV vaccine to commercial sex workers and their clients in India.     

Syphilis intervention in pregnancy: Zambian demonstration project.

Despite availability of simpler serologic tests for syphilis and near cure with penicillin, unacceptably high prevalence of infectious maternal syphilis exist in many developing countries, including Zambia. It is the foremost risk factor for mid-trimester abortions, stillbirths, prematurity and morbidity and mortality among infants born with congenital syphilis in Zambia. An intervention project was conducted in Lusaka aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of new health education methods and prenatal screening for syphilis in reducing the adverse outcomes during pregnancy. During pre-intervention phase, approximately 150 consecutive pregnant women from each of the three study and the three control centres were recruited when they presented in labour at the University Teaching Hospital. The intervention phase lasted for one year at the three study centres during which new methods of health education were introduced to improve early attendances during pregnancy. Also, on-site syphilis screening was performed twice during pregnancy and seroreactive women, and in many cases their sexual partners, were treated by the existing prenatal clinic staff. During the post-intervention phase the steps of pre-intervention phase were repeated to evaluate the impact of intervention. Overall, 8.0% of women were confirmed seroreactive for syphilis; there was no difference between the study and the control centres (p greater than 0.05). Fifty seven percent (132/230) of syphilitic pregnancies ended with an adverse outcome, that is, abortion (RR 5.0), stillbirth (RR 3.6), prematurity (RR 2.6) and low birth weight (RR 7.8). The overall risk of adverse outcomes due to syphilis was 8.29 (95% confidence interval 6.53, 10.53). The new methods of health education were effective and the percentage of women who had their first prenatal visit under 16 weeks of gestation improved from 9.4 to 42.5. Although screening and treatment during intervention was suboptimal, the adverse outcomes attributable to syphilis were reduced to 28.3%; this is almost a two-third reduction when compared with 72.4% of adverse outcomes at control centres (p < less than 0.001). The intervention is culturally and politically acceptable in Zambia. The cost of each prenatal screening is US$0.60 and of averting each adverse outcome US$12. In countries with high rates of syphilis, there is an urgent need for STD control and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programmes to pool their resources together to revitalise the prenatal care.     

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in dermatological patients in west Sicily: a seroepidemiological study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relative frequencies and molecular epidemiological features of viral hepatitis types B and C in dermatological patients in our geographical area. METHODS: We determined the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in a cohort of 677 dermatological patients admitted to the Department of Dermatology of Palermo. An 8-mL blood sample was taken from all subjects. The following assays were used: HBsAg, anti-HB core (antigen) (anti-HBc), anti-HB surface (antigen) (anti-HBs), anti-HB early (antigen) (anti-Hbe) and anti-HCV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-nine (27.91%) of the 677 dermatological patients were positive for anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBe and/or anti-HCV antibodies. In particular 22% (149 patients) were anti-HBc, anti-HBs or anti-HBe positive, reflecting exposure to HBV, and six patients (0.88%) were chronic carriers of HBsAg; 2.36% of the dermatological patients (16 persons) were anti-HCV positive. Tests showed that 24 subjects (3.52%) were infected with hepatitis B or C. The peaks in the age bands were in the 55-80-year-old age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a high rate of HBV and HCV exposure with chronic carriers in our dermatological patients. We assume that the high prevalence of HCV and HBV in dermatological patients is more likely to be age related than to represent a true and direct association with dermatological diseases in general. Definite conclusions will only be available after large epidemiological studies that can establish or refute an aetiological and pathogenetic role of HBV and HCV in certain skin diseases associated with liver infection.     

Online-mediated syphilis testing: feasibility, efficacy, and usage

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of an online-mediated syphilis screening among men who have sex with men. METHODS: We developed a Web site that offered information about syphilis and motivated users to download a referral letter with which they could test for syphilis in a nonclinical setting. A week after the blood test, participants could retrieve their results online. To assess the feasibility and efficacy of the Web site we followed the users through the online procedure and compared the percentage of syphilis infected men detected online with those diagnosed at the local sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic, during the same time frame. The trial was divided into an initial period of online advertising (4 months) and no advertising (11 months) to examine how advertisements affect usage. RESULTS: During 15 months, 898 visitors downloaded a referral letter. Of these, 93 (10%) men tested and 96% (90 of 93) obtained their test results online. Through the Web site we found a significantly higher percentage of men who needed treatment for syphilis compared with the STI clinic (50% online vs. 24% STI clinic, P <0.01). Of the Online users who tested positive 33% (3 of 10) had never visited the STI clinic before. In the bannered period there was a monthly average of 15 testers compared with 3 per month in the nonbannered period. CONCLUSION: Online-mediated testing for syphilis is feasible and was more successful in detecting men who have sex with men with an early or late syphilis infection than standard procedures. However, longer promotion periods are needed to generate more usage of the online service.     

Hepatitis B antigen and antibody in the blood of prostitutes visiting an outpatient venereology department in Rotterdam.

We took blood samples from 128 prostitutes visiting the outpatient venereology department of the University Hospital, Rotterdam-Dijkzigt to test for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). The prevalence of anti-HBs was found to be significantly higher in the group of prostitutes than in "normal populations", and we concluded that more of the former had been in contact with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). We recommend that the advice on vaccination of the hepatitis B committee of the Health Council of The Netherlands should be followed by screening prostitutes for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs in the blood, and vaccinating those who have no anti-HBs.     

Sexually transmitted diseases, antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus, and subsequent development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Visitors of homosexual sauna clubs in Copenhagen: 1982-1983

Sera from 260 men from Denmark and elsewhere attending two Copenhagen sauna clubs for homosexual men during nine months of 1982-1983 were investigated for markers for syphilis, hepatitis A and B, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Five per cent (12 men) had active syphilis, and another 35% (92) had a history of and/or serologic markers for syphilis. Ninety-four men (36%) were positive for antibodies to hepatitis A virus, ten (4%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and 153 (59%) were positive for antibodies to HBsAg. Antibodies to HIV were found in 45 (20%) of the 220 men investigated for this marker. Markers for hepatitis A and B and for syphilis were more frequent in the HIV antibody-positive individuals, but the association was significant only for markers for hepatitis B (relative risk = 2.0). Thus STD markers had little predictive value for seropositivity for antibodies to HIV. Among 37 men investigated more than once, a seroconversion rate of 3% per month for antibodies to HIV was found, but this estimate must be taken with reservation. The rate of seropositivity for antibodies to HIV among men from Denmark was 23%, and three (8%) of the 40 HIV-positive Danish men developed the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) during the four years following the initial investigation. This study shows that by 1982-1983 HIV had spread considerably in the Danish high-risk group, although there were only seven reported cases of AIDS in the country at that time.     

浙江省2013-2014年梅毒孕产妇不良妊娠结局分析

目的：了解浙江省2013—2014年梅毒孕产妇不良妊娠结局发生情况,探讨抗梅毒治疗对妊娠结局的影响。方法回顾性分析浙江省2013—2014年预防梅毒母婴传播信息管理系统资料,比较梅毒孕产妇与同时段一般孕产妇不良妊娠结局发生差异。同时,按照治疗情况对梅毒孕产妇分组,比较是否治疗及是否规范治疗对妊娠结局的影响。结果共收集3985例梅毒孕产妇及其所分娩胎儿/婴儿信息,其中死胎12例,活产3973例。3985例梅毒孕产妇中接受抗梅毒治疗3210例占80.55%,未治疗775例占19.45%。3210例接受治疗的患者中,未规范治疗967例占30.12%。分娩的3985例胎婴儿中有异常症状/体征45例占1.13%;低出生体重279例,发生率7.00%;早期新生儿死亡45例,发生率1.13%,后两项均高于一般孕产妇[819494例中低出生体重儿26092例（3.18%）,早期新生儿死亡1029例（0.13%）],差异均有统计学意义（P<0.01）。775例未治疗的梅毒孕产妇中,早产121例（15.61%）,低出生体重84例（10.84%）,早期新生儿死亡19例（2.45%）,胎传梅毒27例（3.48%）和新生儿异常症状/体征22例（2.84%）,均分别高于3210例接受治疗的梅毒孕产妇（8.26%、6.07%、0.81%、0.81%、1.03%,均P<0.01）。967例未规范治疗的梅毒孕产妇早产（10.44%）、低出生体重儿（8.17%）、早期新生儿死亡（1.55%）、胎传梅毒（1.65%）和新生儿异常症状/体征发生率（1.96%）均高于2243例规范治疗的梅毒孕产妇（7.31%、5.17%、0.49%、0.45%、0.62%,均P<0.01）。结论浙江省2013—2014年梅毒孕产妇不良妊娠结局发生率较高,未治疗及未规范治疗的妊娠期梅毒严重威胁正常妊娠。     

Syphilis seroprevalence among pregnant women and its role as a risk factor for stillbirth in Maputo, Mozambique.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of current syphilis as a risk factor for foetal death. METHODS: Sera were obtained from 57 women with third trimester foetal death (cases) and 58 women with foetus alive (controls) matched for age and parity. All sera reactive in qualitative Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) analyses were tested with serial twofold dilutions to determine endpoint flocculation titres and tested with the micro-haemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP). Placental biopsies were sectioned and stained by haematoxylin-eosin and Warthin-Starry for light microscopy. SETTING: Central Hospital, in Maputo, Mozambique, from January 1990 to June 1991. RESULTS: The MHA-TP was reactive in 42% of cases and in 12% of controls (OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.9-15.4). The RPR card test was reactive at the dilution of 1.32 or greater in 28% of cases and in 7% of controls. All these results were confirmed by MHA-TP (OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.5-15.4). In 9/28 (32%) MHA-TP seroreactive women (7 cases and 2 controls) placental morphological changes indicated syphilitic infection. CONCLUSION: MHA-TP seroreactivity and high titre RPR were associated with stillbirth. Morphological changes presumptive of syphilis infection were found in 32% placentas histologically studied. Syphilis is a risk factor for foetal death in Maputo, Mozambique.     

Fluctuations in natural killer cell activity in early syphilis.

The natural killer cell activity was studied in 25 patients with primary, secondary, or latent syphilis before and after treatment. In primary syphilis natural killer cell activity was increased, especially in patients lacking circulating lipoidal antibodies. In patients who had become seroreactive in the lipoidal tests it was depressed in those with secondary and latent syphilis. The natural killer cell activity thus becomes activated by the syphilitic infection but is significantly reduced during progression of the disease. The importance of the natural killer cell activity in controlling syphilitic infection is questionable.     

替诺福韦联合苄星青霉素在阻断乙肝合并梅毒感染患者母婴传播中的效果

目的探讨替诺福韦联合苄星青霉素在阻断乙肝合并梅毒感染患者母婴传播中的效果。方法选取2016年1月至2018年1月百色市人民医院诊治的70例乙肝合并梅毒患者为研究对象,按照入院先后排序,单数序号患者设为研究组,双数序号患者设为对照组,每组35例患者。研究组患者给予替诺福韦联合苄星青霉素治疗,对照组患者给予常规保肝联合苄星青霉素治疗。在孕晚期对两组患者进行治疗后的效果评定。在分娩后对两组新生儿进行是否为先天性梅毒儿的检测和判定;在6个月时对两组婴儿检测HBsAg阳性表达率。结果对两组患者治疗后的效果显示,研究组患者梅毒治疗有效率(91.4%)高于对照组(88.6%),其差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);研究组患者乙肝治疗有效率(94.3%)高于对照组(80.0%),其差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组正常新生儿比例(82.9%)高于对照组(51.4%),其差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组先天梅毒儿比例(8.6%)低于对照组(14.3%),其差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);研究组6个月婴儿HBsAg阳性率(5.7%)低于对照组(22.9%),其差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论替诺福韦联合苄星青霉素在阻断乙肝合并梅毒感染患者母婴传播中具有较好的治疗效果,值得临床推广。     

87例妊娠梅毒患者临床特征和妊娠结局的回顾性分析

对我院2015年1月1日至2018年12月31日诊治的87例妊娠梅毒患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,结果示潜伏梅毒80例,一期梅毒和二期梅毒患者分别为4例和3例。潜伏梅毒患者中RPR滴度≤1:4者59例,≥1:8者21例。一期梅毒和二期梅毒患者中RPR滴度≤1:4者1例,≥1:8者6例;87例患者中,72例（82.76%）在孕期进行了抗梅毒治疗。妊娠梅毒患者的不良妊娠结局发生率为23.53%,其中先天梅毒的发生率为3.80%。RPR滴度、梅毒诊断孕周及治疗情况与不良妊娠结局的发生相关(均P＜0.05)。     

Hepatitis-B surface antigen and antibody in Black and White patients with venereal diseases.

The prevalence of both the hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its specific antibody (anti-HBs) was significantly greater in the sera of White patients suffering from sexually transmitted diseases than that in White blood donors. However, Black patients with venereal diseases did not show an increased prevalence of either HBsAg or anti-HBs. These findings support the view that heterosexual transmission of the hepatitis-B virus is less likely to occur in populations in whom this infection is largely acquired before the age of sexual maturity.     

Hepatitis-B surface antigen and antibody in Black and White patients with venereal diseases

The prevalence of both the hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its specific antibody (anti-HBs) was significantly greater in the sera of White patients suffering from sexually transmitted diseases than that in White blood donors. However, Black patients with venereal diseases did not show an increased prevalence of either HBsAg or anti-HBs. These findings support the view that heterosexual transmission of the hepatitis-B virus is less likely to occur in populations in whom this infection is largely acquired before the age of sexual maturity.     

Screening for syphilis in arrestees: usefulness for community-wide syphilis surveillance and control

BACKGROUND: Syphilis screening of jail arrestees has been promoted as an effective method for both disease control and surveillance. GOALS: To evaluate the yield of the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail screening program in detecting previously undiagnosed syphilis, to evaluate the program as a means for monitoring community syphilis rates, and to characterize arrestees at greatest risk for syphilis infection. STUDY DESIGN: From July 1994 to December 1998, arrestees brought to the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail were screened for syphilis. Annual early syphilis prevalence in screened arrestees was calculated and compared with the annual period prevalence of early syphilis in the general population of East Baton Rouge Parish, as reported by laboratories and health providers. A case-control study of cases detected at the jail from 1995 to 1997 and contemporary controls was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 50,941 arrestees were booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail, of whom 38,573 (76%) were screened for syphilis. Of the 38,573 arrestees screened, 494 (1.3%) were diagnosed with untreated syphilis. Of these, 299 (61%) were treated for syphilis before release. The estimated prevalence of early syphilis in arrestees decreased by 68% during the study period, from 0.79% in 1994 to 0.25% in 1998. During this time, the East Baton Rouge Parish community rates decreased by 79%, from 150 cases per 100,000 to 31 cases per 100,000. In female arrestees, a booking charge of prostitution was associated with syphilis (odds ratio [OR] 7.0; 95% CI, 1.5, 39.3). In male arrestees, a booking charge of felony theft was associated with syphilis (OR 4.8; 95% CI, 1.8, 13.8). However, only 15 (12%) of the early syphilis cases would have been detected if screening had been based on the booking charges found to be associated with syphilis in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Routine syphilis screening and treatment in jail settings is feasible and identifies many persons with syphilis. Monitoring of syphilis prevalence among arrestees is a useful method for monitoring community prevalence of syphilis. Analysis of booking charges may be useful for determining factors associated with syphilis infection, but not for developing screening criteria.     

Hepatitis B and C viruses and sexually transmitted disease patients in Jamaica

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, and risk factors for HCV and HBV infections in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Jamaica. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was carried out. Blood was collected from 485 consecutive patients attending the comprehensive health centre in Kingston, Jamaica. Serum was tested using commercially prepared reagents and standard procedures for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV), hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HIV-1 infection, and syphilitic infection. Sociodemographic and sexual characteristics of the patients were recorded for assessment as risk factors for HCV and HBV infections. RESULTS: None of the patients had anti-HCV, 21.0% had anti-HBc, 3.2% HBsAg, 2.5% tested positive for HIV-1, and 5.2% had reactive serological test for syphilis. Age was the only independent risk factor identified for anti-HBc positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in this study were not in support of sexual transmission of HCV or HBV infections in Jamaica. Carefully designed multicentre studies could provide more consistent information on the transmission of these viruses by sexual routes.