Men who have sex with men, infectious syphilis and HIV coinfection in inner Sydney: results of enhanced surveillance

Botham, Susan J.; Ressler, Kelly‐Anne; Maywood, Patrick; Hope, Kirsty; Bourne, Christopher; Conaty, Stephen; Ferson, Mark J; Mayne, Darren J

doi:10.1071/sh12142

Cited by 26 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…13 Increased prevalence of syphilis-HIV coinfections in young MSM was also reported in other regions of the world. [14][15][16][17] Whilst HIV is known to affect the course of syphilis, early syphilis also affects markers of HIV infection. [18][19][20] Many studies suggest that diseases that cause genital ulcers, such as syphilis, may be responsible for 'gateway' entry of HIV.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection

et al. 2016

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The objective of this study was to investigate if early syphilis infection affects markers of HIV infection; CD4 T cells and viral load (VL). A retrospective study was performed on 160 HIV-positive patients (111 receiving antiretroviral therapy [ART] and 49 without ART). Early syphilis diagnosis was made in HIV patients during their follow-up at the HIV/AIDS Unit at a Greek Dermatology and Venereology Unit. The patients' blood tests were available at the time of diagnosis, as well as before and 12 weeks after early syphilis diagnosis. CD4 T cell counts and VL levels were measured. It was found that syphilis infection had a negative impact on the CD4 T cell counts in both groups, with reduced CD4 T cell counts observed in 84.6% (99/111) and 79.5% (39/49) of patients receiving and not receiving ART, respectively. After treatment for syphilis, CD4 T cell counts returned to pre-treatment levels in most patients, especially those receiving ART. There was a slight and transient VL increase. Patients receiving ART had a 27% increase in VL, compared to 71.4% among patients not receiving ART. Although the VL increase was slight (41-14,000 copies/ml) in the group under treatment, 4-5% (5/111) patients did not return to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, viral mutations associated with treatment resistance were identified in these patients. Early syphilis accelerates and complicates the progression of HIV infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis may prevent infection-associated complications in most instances. Consequently, prevention of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is of great importance for patients infected with HIV.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection

et al. 2016

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“…Most were men, either homosexual or bisexual in orientation with a median age of 34 years, with a wide variation in country of birth. This population is therefore reflective of a young, mobile population, acknowledged to be the group presently at the greatest risk of STI acquisition, particularly syphilis 2 11 14…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with early syphilis from three academic centres in Poland, Germany and Ireland: initial findings from the POETS study

Rowley

Święcki²,

Firląg-Burkacka³

et al. 2015

Sex Transm Infect

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“…The resurgence of infectious syphilis in MSM has been reported worldwide (Botham et al ., 2013). Since 2000, cases of syphilis, especially among MSM co-infected with HIV, have increased 10 fold in Canada (Burchell et al ., 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demographic, risk factors and motivations among blood donors with reactive serologic tests for syphilis in São Paulo, Brazil

Ferreira

Almeida‐Neto

Nishiya

et al. 2014

Transfusion Medicine

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SUMMARY Objective To identify the demographic characteristics, risk factors and motivations for donating among blood donors with reactive serologic tests for syphilis. Background Post-donation interviews with syphilis seropositive blood donors improve recruitment and screening strategies. Methods This case–control study compares 75 Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)> 8, EIA+ (enzyme immunoassay) and FTA-ABS+ (fluorescent treponemal antibody); 80 VDRL−, EIA+ and FTA-ABS+; and 34 VDRL− and EIA− donors between 2004 and 2009. Donors were assessed by their demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, history of alcohol and illicit drugs use, and motivations to donate. Results Donors with VDRL> 8weremore likely to be divorced [AOR = 12·53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·30–120·81], to have had more than six sexual partners (AOR = 7·1; 95% CI 1·12–44·62) and to report male–male-sex in the past 12 months (AOR = 8·18; 95% CI 1·78–37·60). Donors with VDRL−, EIA+ and FTA-ABS+ were less likely to be female (AOR = 0·26; 95% CI 0·07–0·96), more likely to be older (AOR = 10·2; 95% CI 2·45–42·58≥39 and <60 years old) and to have had more than six sexual partners in the past 12 months (AOR = 8·37; 95% CI 1·49–46·91). There was no significant difference among groups regarding illicit drugs use; 30·7% (VDRL> 8) and 12·5% (VDRL−, EIA+ and FTA-ABS+) of donors reported that they had been at risk for HIV infection (P =0·004). One-third of donors came to the blood bank to help a friend or a relative who needed blood. Conclusion Although donors exposed to syphilis reported and recognised some high risk behaviour, most were motivated by direct appeal to donate blood. Monitoring the risk profile of blood donors can benefit public health and improve blood safety.

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Men who have sex with men, infectious syphilis and HIV coinfection in inner Sydney: results of enhanced surveillance

Cited by 26 publications

References 19 publications

Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection

Early syphilis affects markers of HIV infection

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with early syphilis from three academic centres in Poland, Germany and Ireland: initial findings from the POETS study

Demographic, risk factors and motivations among blood donors with reactive serologic tests for syphilis in São Paulo, Brazil

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