[Epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases, with the exception of AIDS]

Epidemiologic trends in sexually transmitted diseases strongly vary in the world. The situation is worrying in the developing countries. Both the incidences and prevalences are very high antibiotic resistance is expanding and interactions between sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus contribute to AIDS epidemic. In western Europe, the decline of some sexually transmitted diseases is likely to be linked with successful control programmes and gonorrhea and syphilis now are rare diseases. The USA situation is contrasted. Some inner-city minority population still have high level of gonorrhea and are concerned with resurgence of syphilis and chancroid. Chlamydia trachomatis infections, which are a major, cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancy, have become the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in industrialized world.