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Sexually transmissible infections - Old enemies and a new friend

Siobhan Bourke, Tina Schmidt

    Australian Family Physician
    |June 13, 2009
    PubMed

    Insights

    Syphilis infection rates are rising dramatically in Australia, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This resurgence mirrors historical trends, necessitating renewed public health attention to this sexually transmitted infection.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Epidemiology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Syphilis incidence significantly declined with the advent of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic.
    • Recent data shows a doubling of infectious syphilis diagnoses in Australia between 2004 and 2007.
    • The rise in syphilis cases is concentrated in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.

    Discussion:

    • The resurgence of syphilis is almost exclusively observed in men who have sex with men (MSM).
    • This trend suggests a potential decrease in safe sex practices or increased risk-taking behaviors within this demographic.
    • The historical context of syphilis decline and resurgence highlights the dynamic nature of sexually transmitted infections.

    Key Insights:

    • Infectious syphilis diagnosis rates more than doubled from 3.1 to 6.6 per 100,000 population between 2004 and 2007.
    • The increase in syphilis cases is geographically widespread across major Australian states.
    • The primary demographic affected by this syphilis outbreak is men who have sex with men (MSM).

    Outlook:

    • Continued surveillance is crucial to monitor syphilis trends among MSM.
    • Targeted public health interventions and awareness campaigns for MSM are recommended.
    • Further research is needed to understand the specific factors driving this syphilis resurgence.

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