100 years of STIs in the UK: a review of national surveillance data

Abstract

Although diagnoses have fluctuated over the last century, STIs continue to be an important public health concern, often affecting more marginalised groups in society. Prevention must remain a public health priority and, as we enter a new era of sexual healthcare provision including online services, priority must be placed on maintaining prompt access for those at greatest risk of STIs.

The great imitator on the rise: ocular and optic nerve manifestations in patients with newly diagnosed syphilis

“…; Mohammed et al. ). Since the use of penicillin in the mid‐20th century, the spread of the disease has been largely controlled, although efforts to eradicate it entirely have been unsuccessful (World Health Organization ).…”

“…; Mohammed et al. ). Reported cases of syphilis continue to be characterized by a high rate of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) co‐infection, and 47% of MSM with primary and secondary stage syphilis were also reported to be HIV‐positive (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ).…”

“…Given that the eye is an extension of the central nervous system, ocular syphilis is best regarded as neurosyphilis, which has important treatment implications. The preferred treatment for ocular syphilis remains parenteral penicillin G, and the majority of cases of syphilitic infection treated with it can result in a cure (Workowski & Bolan 2015;Kiss et al 2005;Mohammed et al 2018). Since the use of penicillin in the mid-20th century, the spread of the disease has been largely controlled, although efforts to eradicate it entirely have been unsuccessful (World Health Organization 2001).…”

“…Since the use of penicillin in the mid-20th century, the spread of the disease has been largely controlled, although efforts to eradicate it entirely have been unsuccessful (World Health Organization 2001). During the last decade, the number of syphilis cases has been on the rise in developed western countries, primarily attributable to increased cases among men and, specifically, among men reporting to have sex with men (MSM; Fonollosa et al2016;Mohammed et al 2018). Reported cases of syphilis continue to be characterized by a high rate of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) co-infection, and 47% of MSM with primary and secondary stage syphilis were also reported to be HIV-positive (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2017).…”

Highlights from this issue

“…Since the UK’s Venereal Diseases Act of 1917, the burden of STI has fluctuated as described by Mohammed et al in a review surveillance data 1. While technology has changed some aspects of sexual health, many others remain all too familiar.…”