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Syphilis in Swaziland: a serological survey
The British Journal of Venereal Diseases
|April 1, 1981
Summary
Syphilis prevalence is high in Swaziland adults, with 8.6% of healthy adults and 24.5% of patients with genital ulcers testing positive in the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test. Yearly syphilis incidence is estimated at an unusually high 1.4%.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Syphilis is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate serological testing is crucial for diagnosing syphilis.
- Understanding syphilis prevalence in specific populations is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of syphilis in adults and children in Swaziland.
- To assess the utility of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) tests in this population.
- To estimate the yearly incidence of syphilis in Swaziland.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 536 individuals (130 children, 185 healthy adults, 220 patients with genital ulcers) in Swaziland were tested.
- Reactivity was assessed using the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) tests.
- Data were analyzed to determine positivity rates and incidence, considering age and clinical presentation.
Main Results:
- No children tested positive for syphilis.
- Syphilis positivity rates were higher in patients with genital ulcers (24.5% RPR, 45.9% TPHA) compared to healthy adults (8.6% RPR, 33% TPHA).
- The percentage of RPR-negative, TPHA-positive sera increased with age, suggesting cumulative exposure. Estimated yearly syphilis incidence was approximately 1.4% in both adult groups.
Conclusions:
- Venereal syphilis is likely responsible for the high seropositivity rates observed in Swaziland adults.
- The estimated yearly incidence of 1.4% is unusually high, indicating a significant public health challenge.
- RPR and TPHA tests are valuable tools for assessing syphilis prevalence in this region.