Syphilis surveillance in France, 2000-2003.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Syphilis remains a significant public health concern globally.
• Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze syphilis trends and patient characteristics in France from 2000 to 2003.
• To correlate syphilis case reporting with benzylpenicillin benzathine sales data.
• To identify key risk factors and transmission routes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a national syphilis surveillance system with clinical case reporting and sexual behavior data.
• Collected data from volunteer settings, primarily public STI treatment centers.
• Analyzed trends in reported syphilis cases and benzylpenicillin benzathine sales.

Main Results:

• Reported syphilis cases in France surged from 37 in 2000 to 428 in 2003.
• The majority of cases (96%) were in men, with a mean age of 36.5 years.
• HIV co-infection proportion decreased from 60% to 33% during the study period.
• The Ile-de-France region, particularly Paris, was the most affected area.
• Men who have sex with men (MSM) represented a high proportion of cases, especially in Ile-de-France (87%).
• 83% of surveyed patients reported casual sex partners prior to diagnosis.
• Benzylpenicillin benzathine sales mirrored the increase in reported cases.

Conclusions:

• Syphilis transmission was ongoing in France in 2003.
• The study highlights the importance of unprotected oral sex in syphilis transmission.
• Continued surveillance and targeted interventions are necessary to control the epidemic.