Increased Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

Background: Focal outbreaks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and gonorrhoea have been reported in the large cities of Western Europe over the past few years. The aim of our study was to determine whether a similar trend is observed in Geneva and the situation with regard to HIV infection. Methods: We review the incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia trachomatis and HIV in Geneva from 1999 to 2004. Results: Figures indicate a steady and sustained increase in the incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis in Geneva since 1999 that is maintained into 2004. As for HIV, the number of positive testings in Switzerland has stabilised and primary infection figures do not indicate an increase in newly acquired infections in Geneva. Conclusion: The situation in Geneva is similar to that observed elsewhere in Western Europe and indicates the need of public health interventions.

Evaluation of a Particle Gel Immunoassay as a Screening Test for Syphilis

“…Available surveillance data in Switzerland confirm this trend observed in Zurich and Geneva [1,2]. Notification of syphilis cases almost doubled in the year 2002 and increased to 174% compared to the period of 1998-2001 [1].…”

“…Briefly, blood was taken from msm who were offered a free, anonymous screening for syphilis in clubs or bars which are known as meeting places for msm in Zurich during 2 After collection the samples were frozen and stored at -30°C. After thawing at 37°C the samples were centrifugated at 3,000 rpm for 10 min.…”

Occurrence, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in the prospective observational Swiss HIV Cohort Study

“…In the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS), routine screening for syphilis in HIVpositive patients was abandoned at the end of 1998 after an analysis had revealed that screening every 2 years had little impact in the context of the declining incidence at that time (unpublished data). However, the network of Swiss dermatology clinics observed an increase in rates of primary and secondary syphilis beginning in 2001 [23,24]. This observation, paralleled by the international epidemics, led to the reintroduction of systematic annual syphilis serology screening in the SHCS in 2004.…”

Perivascular Cuff and Spread of <i>Treponema pallidum</i>

“…When untreated, the disease progresses through the secondary (disseminated), latent (asymptomatic) and tertiary (recrudescent) stages [1]. After a prominent decline in incidence following the introduction of penicillin as the mainstay of treatment, the disease incidence increased dramatically during the past 20 years [2,3,4,5,6,7]. The increase was initially reported in North America in relation with promiscuous sexual activity associated with the use of crack cocaine [2].…”