Reference laboratory surveillance of syphilis in England and Wales, 1994 to 1996

Routine surveillance of syphilis of public health importance (infectious, congenital, and neurosyphilis) began in England and Wales in 1994, using reports from six PHLS laboratories that undertook serological and other reference work. One hundred and thirty-one cases were reported in the first two years, including 100 cases of infectious syphilis, with all regions reporting some infectious syphilis. Reports from PHLS laboratories represented one sixth of the number of cases seen in genitourinary clinics (KC60 data), but both systems produced comparable results. Laboratory reports provided more data on risk factors, which were not available elsewhere. This study documents the risk in England and Wales from infections originating in eastern Europe, where sexually transmitted infections including syphilis have reached epidemic proportions. Forty-five per cent of cases of infectious syphilis were reported to have been acquired in the United Kingdom (UK) and 59% of people with infectious syphilis were reported to have been born in the UK. Twenty per cent of the infectious cases were associated directly or indirectly with transmission in Russia or elsewhere in eastern Europe. The majority of infectious cases were from the white ethnic group. Eighty-five per cent of cases of infectious syphilis were reported to have been acquired heterosexually; 26% of male cases were reported to have been acquired homosexually. The PHLS laboratory reporting system is now well established, and could usefully be expanded to include other, non PHLS, laboratories that undertake reference work. It has the capacity to detect changes in the national epidemiology of syphilis, including imported infections.