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Surfing with spirochaetes: an ongoing syphilis outbreak in Brighton
M Poulton1, G L Dean, D I Williams
1Department of GUM/HIV, Brighton Health Care NHS Trust.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
|October 6, 2001
Summary
An ongoing syphilis outbreak in Brighton primarily affected homosexual and bisexual men, with many unaware of oral transmission risks. Enhanced health education and on-site testing are crucial for control.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Recent shifts in early syphilis epidemiology show sporadic outbreaks.
- A syphilis outbreak was identified in Brighton, UK.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an ongoing syphilis outbreak in Brighton.
- To analyze the characteristics and risk factors of early infectious syphilis cases.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from patients diagnosed with early infectious syphilis at Brighton GUM clinic.
- Analysis of case demographics, sexual contacts, risk factors, and co-infections.
Main Results:
- 30 cases diagnosed over 25 months, predominantly in homosexual/bisexual men (134/100,000).
- High proportion of casual/untraceable contacts; oral sex reported as sole risk factor by over a third.
- Significant co-infection rates with HIV (8/30) and other STIs (40%).
Conclusions:
- Urgent need for alternative control measures, including on-site testing and education on oral syphilis transmission.
- Vigilance is essential, particularly for HIV-positive individuals.
- Outbreak control meetings informed intervention strategies.
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