International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 18, Number 6 > Pp. 410-412

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yarlagadda, S Articles by Ross, J D C Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Original research articles

A syphilis outbreak: recent trends in infectious syphilis in Birmingham, UK, in 2005 and control strategies

S Yarlagadda, S Acharya, P Goold, D J Ward and J D C Ross

Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Whittall Street Clinic, Whittall Street, Birmingham B4 6DH, UK; Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Whittall Street Clinic, Whittall Street, Birmingham B4 6DH, UK; Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Whittall Street Clinic, Whittall Street, Birmingham B4 6DH, UK; Health Protection Agency (Local and Regional Services), West Midlands East, UK; Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Whittall Street Clinic, Whittall Street, Birmingham B4 6DH, UK

The objective of this study was to identify the demographic characteristics and sexual behaviour associated with primary, secondary and early latent syphilis in Birmingham and its epidemiologic and public health implications. All new patients diagnosed as having infectious syphilis in a genitourinary service in Birmingham in the period from January 2005 to December 2005 were studied retrospectively (history, physical examination, serology) to determine the stage of their disease. During the 12-month period, 69 new cases of primary, secondary and early latent syphilis were diagnosed. Patients were most commonly male (96%), aged between 20 and 44 years, symptomatic (84%) and were white men who had sex with men or Asian/Black Caribbean heterosexual men. Unemployment and having multiple partners were common in infected patients. Based on the results of this study, control measures are being undertaken, using enhanced surveillance, to focus on appropriate health promotion initiatives.

Key Words: SYPHILIS • OUTBREAK • GENITOURINARY MEDICINE

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?