Factors associated with syphilis seroprevalence in women with and at-risk for HIV infection in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (1994-2015).

OBJECTIVE: Syphilis rates among women in the USA more than doubled between 2014 and 2018. We sought to identify correlates of syphilis among women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) to inform targeted interventions. METHODS: The retrospective cross-sectional analysis of secondary data included women with HIV or at-risk of HIV who enrolled in the multisite US WIHS cohort between 1994 and 2015. Syphilis screening was performed at baseline. Infection was defined serologically by a positive rapid plasma reagin test with confirmatory treponemal antibodies. Sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics stratified by baseline syphilis status were compared for women enrolled during early (1994-2002) and recent (2011-2015) years. Multivariable binomial modelling with backward selection (p>0.2 for removal) was used to model correlates of syphilis. RESULTS: The study included 3692 women in the early cohort and 1182 women in the recent cohort. Syphilis prevalence at enrolment was 7.5% and 3.7% in each cohort, respectively (p<0.01). In adjusted models for the early cohort, factors associated with syphilis included age, black race, low income, hepatitis C seropositivity, drug use, HIV infection and >100 lifetime sex partners (all p<0.05). In the recent cohort, age (adjusted prevalence OR (aPOR) 0.2, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.6 for 30-39 years; aPOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.0 for 40-49 years vs ≥50 years), hepatitis C seropositivity (aPOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.1) and problem alcohol use (aPOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.4) were associated with infection. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis screening is critical for women with HIV and at-risk of HIV. Targeted prevention efforts should focus on women with hepatitis C and problem alcohol use.

Predicting Emergence of Primary and Secondary Syphilis Among Women of Reproductive Age in US Counties.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can cause severe congenital disease when not treated during pregnancy, is on the rise in the United States. Our objective was to identify US counties with elevated risk for emergence of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis among women of reproductive age. METHODS: Using syphilis case reports, we identified counties with no cases of P&S syphilis among women of reproductive age in 2017 and 1 case or more in 2018. Using county-level syphilis and sociodemographic data, we developed a model to predict counties with emergence of P&S syphilis among women and a risk score to identify counties at elevated risk. RESULTS: Of 2451 counties with no cases of P&S syphilis among women of reproductive age in 2017, 345 counties (14.1%) had documented emergence of syphilis in 2018. Emergence was predicted by the county's P&S syphilis rate among men; violent crime rate; proportions of Black, White, Asian, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander persons; urbanicity; presence of a metropolitan area; population size; and having a neighboring county with P&S syphilis among women. A risk score of 20 or more identified 75% of counties with emergence. CONCLUSIONS: Jurisdictions can identify counties at elevated risk for emergence of syphilis in women and tailor prevention efforts. Prevention of syphilis requires multidisciplinary collaboration to address underlying social factors.

Acquired Syphilis by Nonsexual Contact in Childhood.

BACKGROUND: Children may acquire syphilis by nonsexual contact as a consequence of close and repetitive contact with mucosal or skin lesions of people with active syphilis. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of pediatric patients with acquired syphilis by nonsexual contact. Demographics, clinical findings, posttreatment serology development and general laboratory data were collected. Sexual transmission was ruled out after a careful medical and psychosocial evaluation of the patient and his/her family. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included in the study. Mean age at diagnosis was 4.2 years old. All of them came from overcrowded households with poor hygiene conditions. The most frequent reason for consultations was secondary syphilis skin lesions (79.2%). The psychosocial evaluation of children and their families did not reveal signs of sexual abuse in any of the cases. Seventy-eight families and their cohabitants were evaluated, 23 (29.5%) resulted positive for rapid plasma reagin and treponemal test of hemagglutination; 60.9% of the cases were asymptomatic. The symptomatic relatives showed lesions of secondary syphilis. A sustained fall on nontreponemal antibodies titer (rapid plasma reagin) was observed after treatment, becoming negative in 6/24 (25%) cases within 12 months posttreatment. DISCUSSION: Following evaluation, it was considered that sexual abuse was unlikely. However, if examination and psychosocial evaluation do not support it, other ways of transmission must be considered. Overcrowded and poor household conditions boost the risks for nonsexual treponema transmission. An infected member of the family or a caretaker are a particular risk to an infant due to common practices such as using saliva to moisten the rubber nipples of the milk bottles or trying the food temperature using the lips before feeding the infants.

Manifestación oral de la sífilis / Oral manifestation of syphilis

Introduction: syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease with an annual incidence of 12 million people worldwide. In Brazil, there are increasing rates of infant mortality and incidence due to this disease. Objective: to report a case of primary syphilis with manifestation in the mouth. Case report: patient 50-years-old, male, homosexual with a complaint of an asymptomatic lesion on the lower left lip for about 2 months. In the intraoral physical examination, it was observed ulcerated lesion, with white-yellowish pseudomembrane, non-suppurative with hardened, elevated and badly-delimited edges measuring approximately 3 cm on the lower left lip. An incisional biopsy of the lesion was carried out and it was prescribed high doses of prednisolone, but without success. During follow-up, erythematous lesions target-shaped appeared in the palmar region and the resulting histopathological report showed ulcerated lichenoid cheilitis. Hematological exams confirmed positive for syphilis in the VDRL test. The treatment was penicillin G benzathine for 3 weeks. Conclusions: in the present case, the syphilitic lesion has clinical characteristics common to other diseases. Thus, dentists should know their clinical manifestations, that would aid in early diagnosis and treatment(AU)

Introducción: La sífilis es una enfermedad de transmisión sexual con una incidencia anual de 12 millones de personas en el mundo. En Brasil, hay crecientes tasas de incidencia y mortalidad infantil por esa enfermedad. Objetivo: Describir un caso de sífilis primaria con manifestación en cavidad oral. Presentación del caso: Paciente masculino de 50 años de edad, homosexual, con queja de lesión sin dolor en el labio inferior izquierdo que había comenzado aproximadamente dos meses antes de asistir a la consulta. En la inspección clínica intraoral se observó lesión ulcerada, que medía aproximadamente 3 cm en el labio inferior izquierdo, con seudomembrana blanco-amarillenta, no supurativa, con bordes indurados, elevados y mal delimitados. Se tomó una biopsia de la lesión y se prescribieron altas dosis de prednisolona, pero sin éxito. Durante el seguimiento, lesiones eritematosas en "tiro al blanco" aparecieron en la región palmar y el estudio histopatológico reveló queilitis liquenoide ulcerada. Los exámenes hematológicos confirmaron positividad para sífilis en la prueba VDRL. El tratamiento fue penicilina G benzatínica por tres semanas. Conclusiones: En el presente caso la lesión sifilítica tenía características clínicas comunes a otras enfermedades. Por lo tanto, los dentistas deben conocer sus manifestaciones clínicas, que ayudarían en el diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos(AU)

Does being on HIV antiretroviral therapy increase the risk of syphilis? An analysis of a large national cohort of MSM living with HIV in England 2009-2016.

OBJECTIVE: A resurgence in bacterial STIs, notably syphilis, among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) has been detected in England. A Canadian modelling study postulated that antiretroviral therapy (ART) may increase susceptibility to syphilis. We assess the association between ART and syphilis incidence in a comprehensive national cohort of MSM living with HIV in England. METHODS: National surveillance data were used to create a cohort of MSM attending for both HIV and STI care in England between 2009 and 2016. Survival analysis was used to calculate the incidence of infectious syphilis during periods on and off ART. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to assess the association between ART use and syphilis, after adjustment for potential confounders, including, as a proxy measure for high-risk behaviour, being diagnosed with >1 other STI prior to a syphilis diagnosis. RESULTS: 19 428 HIV diagnosed MSM contributed 112 960 person-years of follow-up from 2009 to 2016. The overall rate of syphilis was 78.0 cases per 1000 person-years follow-up. Syphilis rates were higher among men receiving ART (36.8) compared with those who did not (28.4) (absolute rate difference 4.7 cases per 1000 person-years). Multivariable analysis showed no statistical association between receiving ART and syphilis. Increased risk of syphilis was found in MSM aged 25-34 (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.51) and in those diagnosed with two other STIs (HR 5.83, 95% CI 5.37 to 6.32). CONCLUSION: While we observed a small increase in the rate of syphilis among those on ART, when adjusting for potential confounding factors, including a proxy measure for high-risk behaviour, there was no evidence of an increased risk of syphilis in MSM receiving ART. High-risk sexual behaviour markers were the main risk factors for syphilis, and our results highlight the need for STI prevention interventions in MSM living with HIV to target these particularly high-risk sexual networks.

The Arg753Gln Polymorphism of Toll-Like Receptor 2 Has a Lower Occurrence in Patients with Syphilis, Suggesting Its Protective Effect in Czech and Slovak Individuals.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum Infection with T. pallidum subsp. pallidum and its dissemination lead to the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines triggered by the interaction of bacterial lipoproteins with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). TLR2 contains several nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms that may impact the activation of its signaling cascade and alter the responsiveness to, or the course of, various infectious diseases, including those caused by pathogenic spirochetes. To investigate whether TLR2 polymorphism may influence susceptibility to syphilis, 221 healthy individuals with no history of syphilis (controls) and 137 patients diagnosed with syphilis (cases) were screened for the presence of the Arg753Gln polymorphism in the TLR2 gene (2258G→A; rs5743708). The Arg753Gln variant occurs at a significantly lower frequency in syphilis patients (4 of 137 [3%]) than in controls (24 of 221 [10.9%]). These data suggest that TLR2 Arg753Gln may protect from the development of syphilis due to reduced signaling.

Estimation of the impact of changing drug-use trend on HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis epidemics among people who use synthetic drug-only, polydrug and heroin-only during 2005-2035 in China: modelling study.

OBJECTIVE: The rapid expansion of the recreational drug market becomes a global health concern. It is worrying that the bacterial and viral infection epidemics linking to drug use may worsen accordingly. This study aimed to estimate the impacts of changing trend and behaviours of using heroin only, synthetic drug (SD) only and polydrug (using SD and heroin concurrently) on HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis epidemics among people who use drugs in China by 2035. METHODS: We constructed a compartmental model to estimate HIV, HCV and syphilis epidemics in the dynamic drug-use trend by three scenarios: SD-only use, heroin-only use and polydrug use based on Monte Carlo simulations. The parameters for the model were collected from a comprehensive literature search. RESULTS: Our model estimated that polydrug use led to the highest HIV and HCV prevalence among three drug-use patterns. The prevalences were projected to increase from 10.9% (95% CI 10.2% to 11.5%) and 61.7% (95% CI 59.4% to 62.5%) in 2005 to 19.0% (95% CI 17.3% to 20.7%) and 69.1% (95% CI 67.3% to 69.5%), respectively, in 2035 among people using polydrug. Similarly, HIV and HCV prevalence in the SD-only group were projected to increase from 0.4% (95% CI 0.3% to 0.4%) and 19.5% (95% CI 19.4% to 21.7%) to 1.8% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.1%) and 33.7% (95% CI 33.2% to 34.9%) in 2005-2035. Conversely, HIV prevalence in the heroin-only group was projected to decrease from 8.0% (95% CI 7.6% to 8.1%) to 2.2% (95% CI 2.0% to 2.3%) in 2005-2035. Syphilis prevalence was estimated to remain unchanged in all population groups within this time frame. It was projected that the proportion of HIV transmitted by sexual transmission will increase compared with unsafe injection transmission in all people who use drugs from 2005 to 2035. CONCLUSION: Our modelling suggests that polydrug use is projected to lead to the highest HIV and HCV disease burden by 2035, and the proportion of HIV transmitted by sexual transmission will increase. Current HIV intervention among people using heroin seems effective according to our estimation.

HIV and syphilis and sexual risk behaviours among men who have sex with men attending university in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background This study was conducted to summarise the HIV epidemic, sexual behaviours and HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending university in China. METHODS: Five databases were searched for student MSM information in English and Chinese language publications. Meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled prevalence of HIV and syphilis, pooled mean age at first anal intercourse (AFAI) and the rate of other HIV-related behaviours among MSM attending university in China. Univariate meta-regression and subgroup analysis were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was measured using Egger's test. RESULTS: Thirty-three articles representing 31 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled HIV prevalence was 4.1% (95% CI 3.1-5.0%). The estimated AFAI was 18.7 years, but 37.5% of students had their first anal intercourse before 18 years of age. Most (88.2%) had their first sexual intercourse with a male partner. Of the MSM attending university, 4.2% of MSM engaged in commercial sex (either selling or buying sex), 10.3% had ever engaged in group sex, 13.1% had had sex with a female partner in the past month and 10.1% had ever used drugs. Most (77.7%) sought sex partners via geosocial networking gay apps or the Internet, and 42.9% had ever tested for HIV. There was a tendency for an increase in lifetime HIV testing rate from 32% in 2005-07 to 53% in 2014-16. CONCLUSIONS: This review found high HIV prevalence, early AFAI and a high prevalence of sexual risk behaviours among MSM attending university in China. Interventions aimed at increasing HIV testing and reducing sexual risk behaviours are urgently needed among this young population.

Early syphilis: risk factors and clinical manifestations focusing on HIV-positive patients.

BACKGROUND: Since 2000, substantial increases in syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM) have been reported in many cities. Condomless anal sex (CAS) is one of the factors, along with drugs for sex and sex in group. This study identified factors and clinical manifestations as well as Treponema pallidum (T.pallidum) strains that could be related to early syphilis in Barcelona. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in a sexually transmitted infections unit in 2015. Epidemiological, behavioral, clinical and microbiological variables were collected in a structured form. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed focusing on HIV-positive patients. RESULTS: Overall, 274 cases were classified as having early syphilis (27.5% primary, 51.3% secondary, and 21.2% early latent syphilis). In all, 94% of participants were MSM and 36.3% were HIV-positive. The median number of sexual contacts in the last 12 months was 10; 72.5% practiced CAS, 50.6% had sex in group, and 54.7% consumed drugs. HIV-positive cases had more anonymous sex contacts (p = 0.041), CAS (p = 0.002), sex in group (p < 0.001) and drugs for sex (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, previous syphilis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.81 [2.88-8.15]), previous Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (aOR 3.8 [2.28-6.43]), and serosorting (aOR 20.4 [7.99-60.96]) were associated with having syphilis. Clinically, multiple chancres were present in 31% of cases with no differences on serostatus, but anal chancre was most common in HIV-positive patients (p = 0.049). Molecular typing did not conclusively explain clinical presentation in relation to specific T.pallidum strains. CONCLUSION: Control of syphilis remains a challenge. Similar to prior studies, HIV-positive patients were found to engage more often in sexual behaviors associated with syphilis than HIV-negative patients. Clinical manifestations were rather similar in both groups, although anal chancre was most common in HIV-positive patients. Various strain types of syphilis were found, but no clinical associations were identified.

A rare case of malignant syphilis after adalimumab therapy due to Crohn's disease associated with bariatric surgery.

Malignant syphilis (also known lues maligna) is a rare and severe variant of secondary syphilis. It is most commonly seen in patients who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and rarely, it can occur in immunocompetent individuals. The exact mechanism of the development of malignant syphilis is not clear. It could probably be associated with immunosuppression, inappropriate immune response of the host, or virulent strain of Treponema pallidum. Coexistence of immunosuppression and inappropriate immune response may predispose to develop malignant syphilis in HIV-infected patients with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Herein, we report the first case of malignant syphilis after adalimumab therapy for Crohn's disease due to bariatric surgery and discuss the underlying possible pathogenic mechanisms.

Associations between impulsivity, risk behavior and HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis seroprevalence among female prisoners in Indonesia: A cross-sectional study.

HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis share common transmission routes of which primarily unsafe sexual contact and injecting drug use are important. Impulsivity is a major factor contributing to this transmission risk behavior; however comprehensive studies within female, prison, and Asian populations are scarce. This cross-sectional study aims to delineate the contributions of different aspects of impulsivity to risk behavior, among female inmates living in a prison in Jakarta (N = 214). The relationships between various aspects of impulsivity, risk behaviors and seropositivity were tested using analyses of variance and logistic regression analyses. Motor impulsivity was related to alcohol use, reward-related impulsivity to drug use, and cognitive/goal-directed impulsivity to sexual risk behavior. Finally, goal-directed impulsivity was also directly associated with seropositivity. Specific aspects of impulsivity are associated with different types of risk behavior in Indonesian female prisoners, which can be relevant for future studies on infection prevention strategies for such a population.

Sexually transmitted diseases of the anus and rectum: Causal agents, coinfections, HIV infection and high-risk sexual behaviour. / Infecciones de transmisión sexual con afectación anorrectal: agentes causales, coinfecciones, infección por el VIH y conductas de riesgo.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted infections of the rectum and anus (STI-RA) mainly affect men who have sex with men (MSM). The incidence of STI-RA among them has increased in recent years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study in patients with diagnoses of STI-RA in an STI unit during the years 2014 and 2015. Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data were collected. RESULTS: We included 95 patients, all of whom were MSM; 88.42% were HIV+; 67.17% did not use a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse; 17.91% had had sex with sex workers and 72.22% had used drugs during sexual intercourse during the previous year. A percentage of 32.92 reported symptoms that had lasted longer than 30 days. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was diagnosed in 54.73% of the patients. All patients who presented with proctitis and perianal ulcers were diagnosed with LGV infection. All those who presented perianal ulcers without proctitis were diagnosed with syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: All the patients affected by STI-RA were MSM, most of them HIV+, had engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour and had suffered prolonged symptomatology. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of STI-AR could help adjust the empiric therapy.

Syphilis Maligna: A Presentation to Bear in Mind. / Sífilis maligna, una presentación de sífilis a tener en cuenta.

Malignant syphilis is an uncommon form of secondary syphilis associated with HIV infection. Clinically, it is characterized by necrotic nodules and generalized ulcerated lesions. We present 4 cases of malignant syphilis diagnosed after evaluating syphilis cases diagnosed at our hospital between 2012 and 2016. We describe the epidemiologic, clinical, histiopathologic, and serologic characteristics of malignant syphilis and explore its response to treatment and association with HIV infection. Although malignant syphilis is uncommon, there has been an increase in the number of cases published in recent years, particularly in young HIV-positive patients. Malignant syphilis must be contemplated in the differential diagnosis of HIV patients with ulcerated, necrotic lesions.

National Trends and Reported Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women With Syphilis in the United States, 2012-2016.

OBJECTIVE: To describe recent syphilis trends among pregnant women and to evaluate the prevalence of reported high-risk behaviors in this population. METHODS: We analyzed U.S. national case report data for 2012-2016 to assess trends among pregnant women with all stages of syphilis. Risk behavior data collected through case interviews during routine local health department investigation of syphilis cases were used to evaluate the number of pregnant women with syphilis reporting these behaviors. RESULTS: During 2012-2016, the number of syphilis cases among pregnant women increased 61%, from 1,561 to 2,508, and this increase was observed across all races and ethnicities, all women aged 15-45 years, and all U.S. regions. Of 15 queried risk factors, including high-risk sexual behaviors and drug use, 49% of pregnant women with syphilis did not report any in the past year. The most commonly reported risk behaviors were a history of a sexually transmitted disease (43%) and more than one sex partner in the past year (30%). CONCLUSION: Syphilis cases among pregnant women increased from 2012 to 2016, and in half, no traditional behavioral risk factors were reported. Efforts to reduce syphilis among pregnant women should involve increasing health care provider awareness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' recommendations, which include screening all pregnant women for syphilis at the first prenatal visit and rescreening high-risk women during the third trimester and at delivery. Health care providers should also consider local syphilis prevalence in addition to individual reported risk factors when deciding whether to repeat screening.

Rectal syphilis in a HIV patient from Peru / Sífilis rectal en un paciente con VIH de Perú

We present the case of a 53-year-old male patient, a man who had sex with men. He described the presence of inguinal adenopathy and non-painful ulcer with indurated edges on his penis that heal spontaneously after 3 months. In the same period of time the patient presented: tenesmus, bleeding and rectal pain. In the proctoscopy was observed at the level of the rectum: deep ulcer with regular and indurated edges, ulcerated bed with abundant mucus; The rectal mucosa around the ulcer had multiple circumferential erosions 2-4 mm in diameter. The biopsy showed infiltration of lymphomonocollar cells and granulomas. The HIV ELISA test was positive, CD 4: 275 cel./uL, HIV viral load: 10 300 copies / ml, VDRL: Non-reactive, FTA-Abs: 1/10 (positive). Warthin-Starry staining was used in the rectal ulcer biopsy sample identifying spirochetes. After the administration of benzatinic Penicillin G, the symptoms and lesions in the rectal region were resolved. Likewise, antiretroviral treatment was initiated. Ulcerative and erosive proctitis is common in people living with HIV infection, however, it is rare to identify spirochetes in the biopsy sample.

Presentamos el caso de un paciente varon de 53 años de edad, un hombre que tenía sexo con hombres. El describió la presencia de adenopatía inguinal y úlcera no dolorosa con bordes indurados en su pene que cicatrizó espontáneamente luego de 3 meses. En el mismo periodo de tiempo el paciente presentó: tenesmo, sangrado y dolor rectal. En la proctoscopía se observó a nivel del recto: úlcera profunda con bordes regulares e indurados, lecho ulceroso con abundante moco; la mucosa rectal alrededor de la ulcera tenía múltiples erosiones circunferenciales de 2-4 mm de diámetro. La biopsia mostró infiltrado de células linfomonocleares y granulomas. El examen de ELISA VIH resultó positivo, CD 4: 275 cel./uL, carga viral VIH: 10 300 copias / ml, VDRL: No reactivo, FTA-Abs: 1/10 (Positivo). Se utilizó la tinción de Warthin-Starry en la muestra de biopsia de ulcera rectal identificando espiroquetas. Luego de la administración de Penicilina G benzatinica, se resolvieron los síntomas y lesiones en la región rectal. Así mismo se inició el tratamiento antirretroviral. La proctitis ulcerosa y erosiva es frecuente en personas que viven con infección por VIH, sin embargo, es raro identificar espiroquetas en la muestra de biopsia.

Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes genital and hepatitis B in a women's prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia: prevalence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and herpes type 2 (HSV2) among women in the prison of San Sebastian in Cochabamba (Bolivia). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study including a standardized questionnaire to assess socio-demographics characteristics and risk factors (sexual practices and exposure to blood); and serological tests for syphilis, HSV2, VIH, and HBV. We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses to test the associations between variables of interest and infections. RESULTS: A total of 219 out of 220 prisoners (99.5%) participated in the study. For syphilis, 12.8% of participants had both reactive tests (RPR+/TPPA+). The prevalence of HSV2 and VIH was 62.6% and 1.4%, respectively. Anti-HBc, indicating a resolved or chronic HBV, was positive in 11.9% of participants and 0.5% had active HBV (HBsAg positive). A low level of education was associated with syphilis, HSV2 and HBV. Having occasional sexual partners was associated with syphilis and HSV2. Being over 36 years old and having more than 3 children were associated with HBV. The number of sexual partners, history of prostitution and rape, having sexual intercourses in prison and detention time were not associated with any of these infections. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of syphilis, HIV, HSV2 and HBV was higher in this vulnerable female population than in the general population in Bolivia. Control measures in detention are needed to limit the spread of these infections both in prisons and in the community.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with syphilis in Gdansk and Warsaw in 2016

INTRODUCTION: Syphilis is a systemic disease with a complex natural history and a diversified clinical symptomology, taking various forms. It is characterized by a long-term course, often asymptomatic. The Global Estimates indicate that Treponema pallidum caused 5.6 million infections per year. AIM: Epidemiological characteristics of patients with syphilis in selected Polish urban agglomerations (Warsaw and Gdansk) in 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cases of syphilis reported by doctors to The Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations in Gdansk (50 cases) and in Warsaw (520 cases) in 2016 were analysed. RESULTS: The average age of patients with syphilis was 35.2 years (Me=32 years). Men were more likely to suffer from syphilis - 493 cases (ie. 86.5%). The probable transmission route of the infection was indicated in 45% of cases and in 7.9% (45 people) it was undetermined sexual contact, in 11.6% (66 people) - heterosexual contact, and in 24.4% (139 people) - homosexual contact. In 7 cases (ie 1.2%), the infection was transferred vertically. A statistically significant relationship was found between the route of infection and the sex of the infected person (p<0.01). The incidence of individual syphilis forms was significantly different between the examined cities (p<0.01). DISCUSSION: The group of people suffering from syphilis described in the study reflects the population of young people, especially men, living in urban agglomerations, characterized by mobility, considered the group most at risk of STI/ STD. The male-to-female rate among the respondents was 6.4:1 and was similar to the overall rate in Europe in 2014, ie 6.2:1. Number of cases of early syphilis (39.5% of all reports in Warsaw and 80% in Gdansk) may suggest insufficient detection of infections in Gdansk and the need to intensify syphilis screening. In 2014, there were 69 cases of congenital syphilisn in the EU / EEA, of which every fourth newborn was born in Poland (n = 17). CONCLUSION: The latent syphilis form acquired mainly through heterosexual contacts has dominated among women suffering from syphilis. Amidst men syphilis was diagnosed mainly in the primary stage of infection and was most commonly acquired as a result of homosexual relationships. The epidemiological situation in Poland of syphilis, has been influenced by infections among MSM.