Sexually Transmitted Infections in Switzerland: Return of the Classics

Lautenschlager, Stephan

doi:10.1159/000082569

Cited by 25 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 91 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Even if the figures indicate a small number of cases that are far from a situation of epidemic, syphilis and gonorrhoea are nevertheless reliable indicators of recent infection and a return to high risk-taking behaviour and present an added problem since they facilitate HIV transmission. A recent paper by Lautenschlager reports an increase in the number of cases of gonorrhoea, C. trachomatis and syphilis in Switzerland since the late 1990s [32]. We confirm this upward trend witnessed in Geneva as in the rest of Switzerland.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Increased Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Geneva, Switzerland

Abraham¹,

Toutous-Trellu²,

Péchère³

et al. 2006

Dermatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Of the 111 cases reported over this period, 84% concerned males and 16% females. Interestingly the majority of the cases in Zurich was among homosexual men whereas heterosexual men and female patients were most frequently concerned in Geneva [32]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Geneva, Switzerland

Abraham¹,

Toutous-Trellu²,

Péchère³

et al. 2006

Dermatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since 2000, there has been an increase in the number of syphilis cases in the United States, mainly among men who have sex with men (MSM) (47-50, 52); these outbreaks have been reported along the west coast of the United States and in New York. Similar increases in syphilis in MSM have been reported in western Europe and the United Kingdom (111,145,166,288,321). Outbreaks among MSM are associated with a rise in unsafe sexual behavior, perhaps a consequence of improved antiretroviral treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); in recent surveys, 37% to 52% of MSM reported multiple risk behaviors (69,145,146).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Biological Basis for Syphilis

2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARY Syphilis is a chronic sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum. Clinical manifestations separate the disease into stages; late stages of disease are now uncommon compared to the preantibiotic era. T. pallidum has an unusually small genome and lacks genes that encode many metabolic functions and classical virulence factors. The organism is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions and has not been continuously cultivated in vitro. Nonetheless, T. pallidum is highly infectious and survives for decades in the untreated host. Early syphilis lesions result from the host's immune response to the treponemes. Bacterial clearance and resolution of early lesions results from a delayed hypersensitivity response, although some organisms escape to cause persistent infection. One factor contributing to T. pallidum's chronicity is the paucity of integral outer membrane proteins, rendering intact organisms virtually invisible to the immune system. Antigenic variation of TprK, a putative surface-exposed protein, is likely to contribute to immune evasion. T. pallidum remains exquisitely sensitive to penicillin, but macrolide resistance has recently been identified in a number of geographic regions. The development of a syphilis vaccine, thus far elusive, would have a significant positive impact on global health.

show abstract

“…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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Quatresooz

Pierard

2009

Dermatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The incidence of syphilis is on the rise in many cities worldwide. Both the clinical and histopathological changes do not always fulfil the typical diagnostic criteria. Immunohistochemistry is available to identify and localize Treponema pallidum. Two main patterns of T. pallidum distribution were described in the skin, namely heavy intraepidermal infiltration and scattered pattern inside the lichenoid cell infiltrate. Objective: To search for a third pattern consistent with dissemination of the disease. Methods: Immunohistochemistry using an antispirochete (T. pallidum and Borrelia) antibody was used in all cases of syphilis submitted to our laboratory. In addition, deposits of immunoglobulins and complement indicative of immune complexes were searched for. Results: According to the cases, T. pallidum was disclosed in a combination of three patterns. The previously described epidermal and lichenoid patterns were confirmed, and a third pattern predominating in a perivascular location throughout the dermis was clearly identified in primary syphilis. The microorganisms were abundant in extracellular and intracellular locations, particularly inside endothelial cells. No deposits of immunoglobulins and complement were disclosed. Conclusion: The perivascular cuff of T. pallidum throughout the dermis might be representative of the dissemination phase of T. pallidum.

show abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections in Switzerland: Return of the Classics

Cited by 25 publications

References 91 publications

Increased Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Geneva, Switzerland

Increased Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Geneva, Switzerland

Biological Basis for Syphilis

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

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About