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London--the next battleground for syphilis?
P D Crook1, T C Paine, M Davis
1HIV/STI Division, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ. kfenton@phls.org.uk
Communicable Disease and Public Health
|August 9, 2002
Summary
Infectious syphilis cases in London increased significantly, particularly among homosexual men. Current surveillance methods are insufficient for timely outbreak detection.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Recent infectious syphilis outbreaks in England necessitate investigation into London's potential vulnerability.
- Routine surveillance systems demonstrated limitations in promptly identifying syphilis outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of infectious syphilis in London.
- To identify demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with infectious syphilis.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted across all London genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in April 2001.
- Data from 1999-2000 and Q1 2001 were analyzed to identify trends and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Infectious syphilis diagnoses in London increased by 41% between 1999 and 2000 (154 to 217 cases).
- The largest increase was observed in homosexual males, with diagnoses rising from 38 to 67.
- This trend continued into the first quarter of 2001, with nearly half of known HIV status homosexual male cases being HIV positive.
Conclusions:
- London experienced a substantial rise in infectious syphilis, especially among homosexual men.
- The findings underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions for infectious syphilis in London.
- High HIV co-infection rates in affected populations require integrated sexual health strategies.