Gaps in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis: a review of reported cases, South Africa, January 2020-June 2022.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis (CS) is preventable through timely antenatal care (ANC), syphilis screening and treatment among pregnant women. Robust CS surveillance can identify gaps in this prevention cascade. We reviewed CS cases reported to the South African notifiable medical conditions surveillance system (NMCSS) from January 2020 to June 2022. METHODS: CS cases are reported using a case notification form (CNF) containing limited infant demographic and clinical characteristics. During January 2020-June 2022, healthcare workers supplemented CNFs with a case investigation form (CIF) containing maternal and infant testing and treatment information. We describe CS cases with/without a matching CIF and gaps in the CS prevention cascade among those with clinical information. FINDINGS: During January 2020-June 2022, 938 CS cases were reported to the NMCSS with a median age of 1 day (interquartile range: 0-5). Nine percent were diagnosed based on clinical signs and symptoms only. During January 2020-June 2022, 667 CIFs were reported with 51% (343) successfully matched to a CNF. Only 57% of mothers of infants with a matching CIF had an ANC booking visit (entry into ANC). Overall, 87% of mothers were tested for syphilis increasing to 98% among mothers with an ANC booking visit. Median time between first syphilis test and delivery was 16 days overall increasing to 82 days among mothers with an ANC booking visit. DISCUSSION: Only 37% of CS cases had accompanying clinical information to support evaluation of the prevention cascade. Mothers with an ANC booking visit had increased syphilis screening and time before delivery to allow for adequate treatment.

Untreated maternal syphilis has devastating consequences for the foetus. Congenital syphilis (CS) is preventable through timely maternal screening and treatment with robust surveillance. We evaluated CS surveillance data to identify gaps in CS surveillance and in the prevention cascade in South Africa.

Factors associated with vertical transmission of syphilis in a city in the State of São Paulo / Fatores associados à transmissão vertical de sífilis em um município do Estado de São Paulo / Factores asociados a transmisión vertical de sífilis en una ciudad del Estado de São Paulo

Background and Objectives: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection with low-cost and accessible treatment; however, it is considered a public health problem. Further studies are needed to improve knowledge about the factors that may contribute to the mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Given its high detection rate in pregnant women and the possible adverse events of syphilis in Brazil, the objective was to evaluate the association of individual and clinical characteristics of syphilis with the incidence of congenital syphilis in pregnant women. Methods: This retrospective study was performed in a medium-size municipality in the State of São Paulo. Notification forms from the Notifiable Diseases Information System were used and the occurrence of congenital syphilis was the outcome of the study. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression were performed with variables that obtained p values <0.25. Results: Most pregnant women were 20-34 years old (62.2%) and had white skin (63.2%) and incomplete elementary schooling (35.4%). The occurrence of congenital syphilis was associated with the maternal syphilis diagnosis (p<0,001) and with not performing the treponemal test during the prenatal examination (p =0.014). There was a greater risk for the occurrence of congenital syphilis in cases with late diagnosis during pregnancy (OR=16.48; 95%CI 3.22-84.26) and tertiary/latent clinical classification (OR=7.62; 95%CI 1.40-41.54). Conclusion: Maternal diagnosis in the third trimester of pregnancy and tertiary/latent clinical classification were the main risk factors for the occurrence of congenital syphilis, reinforcing the importance of a quality prenatal examination performed timely.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: A sífilis é uma Infecção Sexualmente Transmissível, com tratamento de baixo custo e acessível; porém, ela é considerada um problema de saúde pública. Para aprimorar o conhecimento sobre os fatores que podem contribuir para transmissão vertical da sífilis, mais estudos são necessários. Diante da elevada taxa de detecção em gestantes e dos possíveis eventos adversos da sífilis no Brasil, o objetivo foi avaliar a associação das características individuais e clínicas de sífilis com a incidência de sífilis congênita em gestantes. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo foi realizado em um município de médio porte no Estado de São Paulo. Foram usadas as fichas de notificação do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e o desfecho do estudo foi a ocorrência de sífilis congênita. Foram realizadas análises bivariadas e regressão logística com as variáveis que obtiveram valores de p<0,25. Resultados: As maioria das gestantes tinha 20-34 anos (62,2%), era branca (63,2%), com escolaridade fundamental incompleta (35,4%). A ocorrência de sífilis congênita esteve associada ao diagnóstico de sífilis materno no terceiro trimestre de gestação (p<0,001) e com a não realização de teste treponêmico durante o pré-natal (p=0,014). Houve maior risco para a ocorrência de sífilis congênita os casos com diagnóstico tardio na gestação (OR=16,48; IC95% 3,22-84,26) e classificação clínica terciária/latente (OR=7,62; IC95% 1,40-41,54). Conclusão: Os principais fatores de risco para ocorrência de sífilis congênita foram o diagnóstico materno no terceiro trimestre de gestação e classificação clínica terciária/latente, reforçando a importância de um exame pré-natal de qualidade e em tempo oportuno.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: La sífilis es una Infección de Transmisión Sexual con tratamiento accesible y de bajo coste, sin embargo, es considerada un problema de salud pública. Se necesitan más estudios para mejorar el conocimiento sobre los factores que pueden contribuir a la transmisión maternoinfantil de la sífilis. Dada su alta tasa de detección en gestantes y los posibles eventos adversos de la sífilis en Brasil, el objetivo fue evaluar la asociación de las características individuales y clínicas de la sífilis con la incidencia de sífilis congénita en gestantes. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo realizado en una ciudad de mediano porte del Estado de São Paulo. Fueran utilizados formularios de notificación obligatoria del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria y el desenlance fue la ocurrencia de sífilis congénita. Se realizaron análisis bivariados y regresión logística con las variables que obtuvieron p-value<0,25. Resultados: La mayoría de las mujeres embarazadas tenían entre 20 y 34 años (62,2%), eran blancas (63,2%), con instrucción primaria incompleta (35,4%). La aparición de sífilis congénita se asoció con el diagnóstico de sífilis materna en el tercer trimestre del embarazo (p<0,001) y con la no realización de prueba treponémica durante el prenatal (p=0,014). Hubo un mayor riesgo de sífilis congénita en los casos diagnosticados tardíamente en el embarazo (OR=16,48; IC95% 3,22-84,26) y clasificación clínica terciaria/latente (OR=7,62; IC95% 1,40-41,54). Conclusiones: Los principales factores de riesgo de aparición de sífilis congénita fueron el diagnóstico materno en el tercer trimestre de gestación y la clasificación clínica terciaria/tardía, lo que refuerza la importancia de una atención prenatal de calidad y oportuna.(AU)

Epidemiological profile of gestational syphilis and congenital syphilis in a reference center in Northeast Brazil: risk factors and trend from 2019 to 2021 / Perfil epidemiológico de sífilis gestacional e sífilis congênita em centro de referência no Nordeste do Brasil: fatores de risco e tendência de 2019 a 2021

Introduction: Syphilis is an infectious systemic disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The Amaury de Medeiros Integrated University Health Center in Recife is a reference maternity hospital for high-risk pregnancies and the management of the most common Sexually Transmitted Infections during prenatal care, including Gestational Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis. Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile of the population exposed to these conditions, the rate of Gestational Syphilis detection, the incidence of Congenital Syphilis, and the associated unfavorable outcomes in Amaury de Medeiros Integrated University Health Center between January 2019 and December 2021. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pregnant women and neonates diagnosed with syphilis at Amaury de Medeiros Integrated University Health Center. Data were collected from the Notification/Investigation Forms for Gestational Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis, between January 2019 and December 2021. Results: At Amaury de Medeiros Integrated University Health Center, 463 cases of Gestational Syphilis and 296 of Congenital Syphilis were reported. During the three-year study, 4444, 4360, and 4265 live births were recorded, confirming the Gestational Syphilis detection rates ­ 33.30, 36.92, and 36.10 per 1000 live births, with the incidence of Congenital Syphilis being 26.1, 21.33, and 20.39 per 1000 live births. Pregnant women in their third trimester who were brown, had incomplete primary education, and lived in an urban area were the main sociodemographic variables. In total, 217 (73.3%) patients were diagnosed with Gestational Syphilis during or after delivery, indicating a low prenatal coverage (70.6%). In terms of the progression of Congenital Syphilis, unfavorable outcomes was found in 40 (13.5%) patients, including 16 (40%) abortions, 10 (25%) stillbirths, nine (22.5%) deaths from Congenital Syphilis, and 5 (12.5%) deaths from other causes. Conclusion: Gestational Syphilis detection rates and Congenital Syphilis incidence remain alarming, with abortions and stillbirths being the most common unfavorable outcomes. To change the dramatic situation of Congenital Syphilis in Brazil, the associated factors point to a poor quality of prenatal care and an urgent need to change public policies for pregnant women and newborns, in conjunction with socioeconomic assistance

Assessing the drivers of syphilis among men who have sex with men in Switzerland reveals a key impact of screening frequency: A modelling study.

Over the last decade, syphilis diagnoses among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) have strongly increased in Europe. Understanding the drivers of the ongoing epidemic may aid to curb transmissions. In order to identify the drivers of syphilis transmission in MSM in Switzerland between 2006 and 2017 as well as the effect of potential interventions, we set up an epidemiological model stratified by syphilis stage, HIV-diagnosis, and behavioral factors to account for syphilis infectiousness and risk for transmission. In the main model, we used 'reported non-steady partners' (nsP) as the main proxy for sexual risk. We parameterized the model using data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, Swiss Voluntary Counselling and Testing center, cross-sectional surveys among the Swiss MSM population, and published syphilis notifications from the Federal Office of Public Health. The main model reproduced the increase in syphilis diagnoses from 168 cases in 2006 to 418 cases in 2017. It estimated that between 2006 and 2017, MSM with HIV diagnosis had 45.9 times the median syphilis incidence of MSM without HIV diagnosis. Defining risk as condomless anal intercourse with nsP decreased model accuracy (sum of squared weighted residuals, 378.8 vs. 148.3). Counterfactual scenarios suggested that increasing screening of MSM without HIV diagnosis and with nsP from once every two years to twice per year may reduce syphilis incidence (at most 12.8% reduction by 2017). Whereas, increasing screening among MSM with HIV diagnosis and with nsP from once per year to twice per year may substantially reduce syphilis incidence over time (at least 63.5% reduction by 2017). The model suggests that reporting nsP regardless of condom use is suitable for risk stratification when modelling syphilis transmission. More frequent screening of MSM with HIV diagnosis, particularly those with nsP may aid to curb syphilis transmission.

Prevalence of HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C in pregnant women at a maternity hospital in Salvador / Prevalência de HIV, Sífilis, Hepatites B e C em gestantes de uma maternidade de Salvador

Abstract Objectives: to calculate the prevalence and rate per 1,000 live births of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in pregnant women at a public maternity hospital in Salvador. Methods: this descriptive, cross-sectional study retrospectively collected data from compulsory notifications and medical records of pregnant women with STI seen at a maternity hospital in northeastern Brazil between 2014 and 2017 (n = 520). Prevalence and rate per 1,000 live births were estimated for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis. Associations between STI and other clinical and sociodemographic variables were investigated. Results: most pregnant women were born and resided in Salvador, presented a mean age of 26.4 years, self-reported mixed-race and had unplanned pregnancies. Prevalence and rates per 1,000 live births were, respectively: 0.26% and 3.39 for hepatitis B, 0.06% and 0.79 for hepatitis C, 0.47% and 6.23 for HIV, and 2.46% and 32.2 for syphilis. Conclusion: higher prevalence and rates of infection per 1,000 live births were seen at the maternity hospital in northeastern Brazil compared to official data provided by the Brazilian government, notably with regard to HIV and syphilis. The appropriate epidemiological notification of STI, especially in pregnant women, enables the elaboration of effective preventive strategies incorporating specific sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Resumo Objetivos: calcular a prevalência e as taxas por 1000 nascidos vivos de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) em gestantes de uma maternidade pública de Salvador. Métodos: estudo transversal, descritivo, com dados coletados retrospectivamente a partir das fichas de notificação dos agravos e dos prontuários de todas as gestantes com IST atendidas na maternidade, entre os anos de 2014 e 2017 (n=520). Foram calculadas as prevalências e as taxas por 1000 nascidos vivos de hepatite B, hepatite C, HIV e sífilis para a população de gestantes da maternidade. Associações entre as IST e demais variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas também foram investigadas. Resultados: a maioria das gestantes era natural e residente de Salvador, pardas, com idade média de 26,4 anos e que não planejaram a gravidez. As prevalências e as taxas por 1000 nascidos vivos foram respectivamente: 0,26% e 3,39 para hepatite B, 0,06% e 0,79 para hepatite C, 0,47% e 6,23 para HIV e 2,46% e 32,2 para sífilis. Conclusão: a maternidade apresenta prevalências e taxas por 1000 nascidos vivos superiores aos dados oficiais do governo brasileiro, especialmente para HIV e sífilis. A correta notificação epidemiológica desses agravos, especialmente em gestantes, permite o desenvolvimento de estratégias preventivas mais eficientes e com enfoque nas características sociodemográficas e clínicas das pacientes.

Sífilis materna no Sul do Brasil: epidemiologia e estratégias para melhorar / Maternal syphilis in Southern Brazil: epidemiology and improvement strategies

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como principal objetivo estimar a prevalência de sífilis gestacional e fatores associados à infecção em uma Maternidade no Sul do Brasil no ano de 2018. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo descritivo, transversal, retrospectivo, no qual foram avaliados os testes rápidos para sífilis de todas as gestantes internadas para atenção ao parto ou ao abortamento na Maternidade Carmela Dutra no ano de 2018. Nos casos confirmados de sífilis, foram obtidos dados epidemiológicos, adequação do tratamento, coinfecção pelo HIV e resultados gestacionais. Resultados: Entre os prontuários analisados, 161 (3,6%) foram considerados casos de sífilis materna. A média de idade das gestantes foi de 27,98 (±6,65), 54 (33,5%) eram primigestas, 114 (70,8%) se declararam brancas, 125 (77,5%) estavam em uma união estável e 85 (52,7%) tinham escolaridade até o ensino médio. Quanto ao tratamento, 71 (44%) trataram de maneira adequada e 90 (56%), de maneira inadequada, e 44 (27,3%) delas realizaram o diagnóstico apenas no momento da internação hospitalar. Entre as pacientes que realizaram tratamento inadequado de sífilis, 28 (53,4%) apresentaram títulos iguais ou superiores a 1:8. Entre as pacientes que realizaram teste rápido para HIV na internação, 5 (3,7%) apresentaram coinfecção com a doença. Com relação ao tratamento dos parceiros no pré-natal, 11,8% não realizaram nenhum tipo de tratamento, porém em 66 (41%) prontuários não constava essa informação. Com relação ao desfecho neonatal, 5 (7,4%) pacientes com tratamento inadequado para sífilis tiveram parto prematuro, 5 (7,4%) recém- -nascidos foram de baixo peso e 22 (24,5%) pacientes apresentaram abortamento da gestação. Conclusão: A alta taxa de tratamentos inadequados sugere falhas na assistência pré-natal e indica serem necessárias novas estratégias para reduzir a transmissão de sífilis na gestação.(AU)

Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of maternal syphilis and factors associated with the infection in Carmela Dutra Maternity in 2018. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study. All of the syphilis rapid-tests on pregnant women admitted for childbirth or miscarriage assistance at Carmela Dutra Maternity in 2018 were evaluated. In the cases of confirmed syphilis infection, the variables were epidemiological data, adequacy of treatment, HIV coinfection and gestational outcomes. Results: Out of all the medical records analyzed, 161 (3.6%) were considered maternal syphilis (MS). The average age of the pregnant women was 27.98 (± 6.65), 54 (33.5%) were primigestae, 114 (70.8%) declared themselves white, 125 (77.5%) were in a stable relationship and 85 (52.7%) had a high school education. Regarding treatment, 71 (44%) were treated adequately and 90 (56%) inadequately. Forty-four (27.3%) were diagnosed only at the time of hospitalization. Amongst patients who had inadequate syphilis treatment, 28 (53.4%) had titers equal to or greater than 1:8. Amongst patients who underwent rapid HIV testing during hospitalization, 5 (3.7%) had HIV coinfection. Regarding the partners treatment during prenatal, 11.8% did not receive any treatment, but 66 (41%) of the medical records did not contain this information. Regarding neonatal outcome, 5 (7.4%) of patients with inadequate treatment for syphilis had premature birth, 5 (7.4%) of newborns were underweight and 22 (24.5%) had miscarriages. Conclusion: The high rate of inadequate treatment suggests failure in prenatal care and indicates that new strategies are necessary to reduce syphilis transmission during pregnancy.(AU)

Contact tracing of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis-infection among their male partners in Bao'an district, Shenzhen, China.

BACKGROUND: Untreated male partners are a critical source of maternal re-infection. Contact tracing is a good way to identify infection among partners and reduce risk of mother-to-child transmission related to maternal re-infection. This study aimed to analyze the current situation and related factors of contact tracing of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis-infection among their male partners. METHOD: Data of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and their male partners attending clinic for syphilis-screening were obtained from the Shenzhen Program for Prevention of Congenital Syphilis. Contact tracing rate of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis prevalence among male partners were counted, and related factors were also analyzed using a random-effects logistic regression model. RESULT: Of the 1299 syphilis-seropositive pregnant women, 74.1% (963/1299) had their male partners receiving syphilis-screening and 19.1% (184/963) of male partners were syphilis-infected. For pregnant women, being divorced (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.39; 95%CI: 0.17-0.87), seeking for emergency services at their first antenatal clinics visits (AOR = 0.58; 95%CI: 0.44-0.77), reporting willingness to notify partner(AOR = 7.65; 95%CI: 4.69-12.49), multi-partners (AOR = 1.38; 95%CI:1.03-1.86) and having a history of drug abuse (AOR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.14-1.00)were independently associated with successful contact tracing. For male partners, of minority ethnicity (AOR = 4.15; 95%CI: 1.66-10.34), age at first sex>20(AOR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.37-0.87), reporting multi-partners (AOR = 1.60; 95%CI: 1.04-2.46), having a history of drug abuse (AOR = 4.07; 95%CI: 1.31-12.64) were independently associated with syphilis-infection. In addition, pregnant women with TRUST titer ≥1:8 (AOR = 2.81; 95%CI: 1.87-4.21), having a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (AOR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.14-2.53), reporting multi-partners (AOR = 0.43; 95%CI: 0.29-0.64) and reporting the current partner as the source of syphilis (AOR = 5.05; 95%CI: 2.82-9.03) were independently associated with partners' syphilis-infection. CONCLUSION: Contact tracing is feasible and effective in identifying syphilis-infected partners among syphilis-seropositive pregnant women. Contact tracing is associated with many factors such as women's marital status, services at their first antenatal clinics visit and willingness of partner notification. Partners' ethnicity, age at first sex, multi-partners and history of drug abuse as well as women's levels of TRUST titer were associated with partners' syphilis-infection.

Análisis comparativo sobre el comportamiento de sífilis en gestantes del Policlínico Universitario "Emilio Daudinot Bueno", Guantánamo 2020 / Comparative analysis about syphilis behavior in pregnant women from the University Polyclinic "Emilio Daudinot Bueno", Guantánamo 2020

Introducción: las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en mujeres en edad fértil constituyen un significativo problema en la morbimortalidad materno-infantil. La gestante con sífilis no tratada tiene altas tasas de resultados desfavorables de su embarazo. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de la sífilis en gestantes del Policlínico Universitario "Emilio Daudinot Bueno", en los trimestres enero-marzo de 2019 y enero-marzo de 2020. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal. El universo se conformó por las 197 gestantes existentes en el período, se seleccionó una muestra intencionada de 8 pacientes diagnosticadas con sífilis. El instrumento de recolección de datos utilizados fueron las historias clínicas de las embarazadas y el libro de control en departamento de ITS. Se estudiaron las variables: grupo etario, nivel de escolaridad, trimestre de gestación, conclusión diagnóstica y procedencia. Resultados: el 2 % de las gestantes con sífilis se encontró en las edades comprendidas entre los 15-20 años en ambos períodos. El primer trimestre de la gestación fue el que más incidió, con un predominio del 60 % en 2019. El 75 % de los casos diagnosticados fue de sífilis temprana adquirida latente. El nivel de escolaridad universitario fue el que más predominó en ambos trimestres. El 100 % resultó ser de procedencia urbana. Conclusiones: la sífilis gestacional continúa siendo un problema de salud pública. En el estudio hubo una disminución de las pacientes notificadas con sífilis durante la gestación a pesar del total de gestante

Introduction: sexually transmitted infections (STI) in women of childbearing age are a significant problem in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Pregnant women with untreated syphilis have high rates of poor pregnancy outcomes. Objective: to characterize the behavior of syphilis in pregnant women at the "Emilio Daudinot Bueno" University Polyclinic, in the quarters January-March 2019 and January-March 2020. Method: a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. The universe was made up of the 197 pregnant women existing in the period and a purposeful sample of 8 patients diagnosed with syphilis was selected. The data collection instrument used was the clinical records of the pregnant women and the control book in the STI department. The variables studied were: age group, schooling level, pregnancy quarter, diagnostic conclusion and origin. Results: 2% of pregnant women with syphilis were between the ages of 15-20 in both periods. The first quarter of gestation was the most influential, with a predominance of 60% in 2019. 75% of diagnosed cases were early latent acquired syphilis. The level of university education was the most predominant in both quarters. 100% were of urban origin. Conclusions: gestational syphilis remains a public health problem. In the study conducted there was a decrease in patients reported with syphilis during gestation despite the total number of pregnant women

Call to action for health systems integration of point-of-care testing to mitigate the transmission and burden of sexually transmitted infections.

OBJECTIVES: In 2016, WHO estimated 376 million new cases of the four main curable STIs: gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and syphilis. Further, an estimated 290 million women are infected with human papillomavirus. STIs may lead to severe reproductive health sequelae. Low-income and middle-income countries carry the highest global burden of STIs. A large proportion of urogenital and the vast majority of extragenital non-viral STI cases are asymptomatic. Screening key populations and early and accurate diagnosis are important to provide correct treatment and to control the spread of STIs. This article paints a picture of the state of technology of STI point-of-care testing (POCT) and its implications for health system integration. METHODS: The material for the STI POCT landscape was gathered from publicly available information, published and unpublished reports and prospectuses, and interviews with developers and manufacturers. RESULTS: The development of STI POCT is moving rapidly, and there are much more tests in the pipeline than in 2014, when the first STI POCT landscape analysis was published on the website of WHO. Several of the available tests need to be evaluated independently both in the laboratory and, of particular importance, in different points of care. CONCLUSION: This article reiterates the importance of accurate, rapid and affordable POCT to reach universal health coverage. While highlighting the rapid technical advances in this area, we argue that insufficient attention is being paid to health systems capacity and conditions to ensure the swift and rapid integration of current and future STI POCT. Unless the complexity of health systems, including context, institutions, adoption systems and problem perception, are recognised and mapped, simplistic approaches to policy design and programme implementation will result in poor realisation of intended outcomes and impact.

Oral Transmission of Sexually Transmissable Infections: A Narrative Review.

Over the last few decades, behavioral changes in sexual practices have made oral transmission of traditional sexually transmissible infections increasingly recognized. Patients harboring a sexually transmissible infection may first present lesions on the oral cavity, as these may be visible and interfere with basic functions such as speech or swallowing. Moreover, the oral cavity may function as a reservoir for future spread of these infections. In order to successfully control this problem, a greater focus on oral sex should be persued, along with promotion of the use of condom and education on safe oral sex practices. Furthermore, examination of the oral cavity should is essential when evaluating any patient suspected of harboring a sexually transmissible infection. In this article, oral transmission of several viral and bacterial infections is reviewed, including human papillomavirus infection, genital herpes, syphilis and gonorrhea, among others.

Com as alterações comportamentais nas práticas sexuais verificadas nas últimas décadas, a transmissão oral de infeções sexualmente transmissíveis tem vindo a ser progressivamente mais reconhecida. As lesões na cavidade oral podem ser visíveis ou interferir com funções básicas como a fala ou deglutição, sendo por isso o motivo de apresentação de muitos destes doentes. Além disso, a cavidade oral pode funcionar como um reservatório para a disseminação futura dessas infecções. Para um controlo adequado deste problema, deve ser prestada uma maior atenção às práticas de sexo oral, à promoção do uso do preservativo e à educação relativamente a práticas sexuais seguras. Por outro lado, o exame da cavidade oral deve ser parte integrante da avaliação de qualquer indivíduo com suspeita de uma infecção sexualmente transmissível. Neste artigo, a transmissão oral de várias infeções virais e bacterianas é revista, nomeadamente a infeção pelo vírus do papiloma humano, herpes genital, sífilis e gonorreia, entre outras.

Male Partner Linkage to Clinic-Based Services for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Services Following Couple Home-Based Education and Testing.

BACKGROUND: Home-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and education has increased HIV test uptake and access to health services among men. We studied how a home-based antenatal intervention influenced male partner utilization of clinic-based HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, linkage to HIV care and medical circumcision. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis within a randomized controlled trial of pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kenya. Women and their male partners received either a home-based couple intervention or an invitation letter for clinic-based couple HIV testing. The home-based intervention included education on STI symptoms, STI and HIV treatment and male circumcision for HIV prevention. Male self-reported outcomes were compared using relative risks at 6 months postpartum. RESULTS: Among 525 women, we reached 487 (93%) of their male partners; 247 men in the intervention arm and 240 men in the control arm. Men who received the intervention were more likely to report an STI consultation (n = 47 vs. 16; relative risk, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-1.89). Among 23 men with newly diagnosed HIV, linkage to HIV care was reported by 4 of 15 in the intervention (3 men had missing linkage data) and 3 of 5 men in the control arms (relative risk, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-1.29). Although the intervention identified 3 times more men with new HIV infection, the study lacked power to find significant differences in linkage to HIV care. Few eligible men sought medical circumcision (4 of 72 intervention and 2 of 88 control). CONCLUSIONS: Home-based couple education and testing increased STI consultations among male partners of pregnant women, but appeared insufficient to overcome the barriers involved in linkage to HIV care and medical circumcision.

Enhancing the Control of Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men by Focusing on Acute Infectious Primary Syphilis and Core Transmission Groups.

The syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been increasing steadily. Many syphilis control programs focus on assuring treatment of all persons diagnosed with early syphilis without prioritizing acute primary syphilis or specific subgroups. Acute primary syphilis is highly infectious and contributes to a high proportion of new cases. Surveillance data show that among MSM with incident syphilis (primary or secondary) only about 35% are identified in the primary stage, indicating that most primary cases are missed and untreated. Patients with primary syphilis and large numbers of sex partners may play a major role in maintaining syphilis transmission. Considering those issues, sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs should consider increasing their focus on primary syphilis by assigning primary cases the highest priority, expanding client and clinician health education, and increasing the detection of primary syphilis through increased serologic screening frequency among high-risk MSM. Furthermore, syphilis control programs should implement steps to identify asymptomatic high-probable occult primary cases based on low titer (≤1:8) and recent seroconversion. Finally, to address core transmission groups, programs should implement periodic risk assessment to identify persons with a high number of sex partners and offer these individuals risk-reduction counseling, case management, and selective syphilis preexposure or postexposure doxycycline chemoprophylaxis. Although reprioritizing prevention efforts might be challenging, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, community advocacy groups, university STD research centers, and national STD prevention training centers can assist by providing support for consensus discussions and direction in developing operational guidance, some of which may be best delivered through STD and human immunodeficiency virus program partnerships.

The HIV diagnostic assistant: early findings from a novel HIV testing cadre in Malawi.

OBJECTIVES: In 2015, Malawi piloted the HIV diagnostic assistant (HDA), a cadre of lay health workers focused primarily on HIV testing services. Our objective is to measure the effect of HDA deployment on country-level HIV testing measures. DESIGN: Interrupted time series analysis of routinely collected data to assess immediate change in absolute numbers and longitudinal changes in trends. METHODS: Data from all HDA sites were divided into two periods: predeployment (October 2013 to June 2015) and postdeployment (July 2015 to December 2017). Monthly rates of several key HIV testing measures were evaluated: HIV testing, including all tests done, new positives, and confirmatory testing. Syphilis testing at antenatal clinic (ANC) and early infant diagnosis were also assessed. FINDINGS: The number of patients tested for HIV per month increased after HDA deployment across all sex, age, and testing subgroups. The number of tests immediately increased by 35 588 (P = 0.031), and the postintervention trend was significantly greater than the preintervention slope (+3442 per month, P = 0.001). Of 7.4 million patients tested for HIV in the postdeployment period, 2.6 million (34%) were attributable to the intervention. The proportion of new positives receiving confirmatory tests increased from 28% preintervention to 98% postintervention (P < 0.0001). Syphilis testing rates at ANC improved, with 98% of all tests attributable to HDA deployment. The number and proportion of infants receiving DNA-PCR testing at 2 months experienced significant trend increases (P < 0.0001). INTERPRETATION: HDA deployment is associated with significant increases in total HIV testing, identification of new positives, confirmatory testing, syphilis testing at ANC, and early infant diagnosis testing.

Assessment of Blood Donation and Transfusion in Eastern Uganda: A Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Blood and blood products are essential in the management of injuries, medical illnesses, and childbirth. Chronic shortages in the blood supply perpetuates the high levels of morbidity and mortality from injury and treatable diseases. Patients in low- and middle-income countries are frequently unable to access blood units necessary for transfusion in a timely manner. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to gain insight into the community and hospital factors that contribute to the observed insufficient supply of blood units available for transfusion at a regional referral hospital in rural Eastern Uganda. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was utilized; community members were surveyed on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of blood donation and health professionals were queried on hospital factors affecting blood transfusions. Transfusion records were prospectively collected and analyzed, and the pathway of a single blood unit was observed and recorded. FINDINGS: Among the 82 community members that were surveyed, knowledge was poor (<50% correct) regarding age, weight, and volume of blood to be able to donate, but participants were overall knowledgeable on general characteristics that would exclude individuals from donating blood. Major themes elicited during qualitative interviews included a positive attitude towards and lack of information regarding blood donation. Health professionals expressed frustration in delayed testing of transfusion transmissible infections. The majority of blood transfusions were allocated to female patients (55.8%) and children under five years of age (33.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Broadened inclusion and education of the general population in blood donation and increased outreach programs may be promising interventions to increase the blood supply at the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. To reduce the current bottleneck seen in TTI testing, the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of local TTI testing technology should be investigated further.

Mother-to-child transmission prevention of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis B virus.

BACKGROUND: China is the first country to initiate a nationwide program for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis B virus by an integrated approach. However, the progress of this program remains unreported at national or local level for China. Therefore, we performed a hospital-based longitudinal study to assess the integrated prevention effect in Hunan, South-central China. METHODS: This study was conducted at 123 counties in Hunan and covered all local hospitals providing midwifery and antenatal care services from 2010 to 2016. We used the Cochran-Armitage test to examine the temporal changes of the indicators related with prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Besides, we used Spearman rank correlation analysis to assess the association between mother-to-child transmission rates and the process indicators related with prevention of mother-to-child transmission. RESULTS: After implementation of integrated prevention program, the indicators related with prevention of mother-to-child transmission are moving in the right direction. From 2010 to 2016, mother-to-child transmission rates significantly decreased from 19.4% to 9.6% for human immunodeficiency virus, and from 116.3 to 13.6 cases per 100,000 live births for syphilis. The proportion of children receiving hepatitis B immunoglobulin injection within 24h after birth increased from 95.2% to 98.9% among exposed neonates. Mother-to-child transmission rates were negatively associated with the process indicators related with prevention of mother-to-child transmission (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our prevention program of mother-to-child transmission for three diseases by an integrated approach proved to be viable and effective. Our model may be of interest to other countries.

Sífilis anorrectal: una entidad subdiagnosticada. Casuística de un hospital público de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires / Anorectal syphilis: an underdiagnosticated entity. Casuistry of a public hospital in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires

Introducción: Las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) afectan anualmente a millones de personas. La sífilis aumenta tanto a nivel mundial como nacional. El sexo anorreceptivo es factor predisponente y hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) son vulnerables. Las lesiones anales en estadio primario provocan intensa proctalgia y en estadio secundario pueden simular condilomas virales, que si resuelven espontáneamente quedan sin diagnóstico etiológico. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, ambispectivo, transversal. Revisión de registros de pacientes atendidos en coloproctología del Hospital Fernández (01/01/2015 - 01/03/2019). Se incluyeron pacientes con serología confirmatoria. Variables analizadas: sexo, edad, diagnóstico de derivación, HIV, otras ITS, sexo anal/oro-anal, estadio, clínica y casos/año.Resultados: Setenta y siete casos (61 hombres, 12 mujeres, 4 mujeres trans). Edad mediana: 30 años (rango: 18 - 72), 48% <30 años, 83% no utilizó preservativo (100% de los HIV+). Diecisiete casos (22%) detectados durante pesquisa de Chlamydia. Cincuenta y ocho pacientes (75%) presentaron ITS asociada. Coexistieron sífilis, HIV y linfogranuloma venéreo (LGV) en 8 HSH. Manifestaciones observadas: proctalgia (77%), proctorragia (55%), secreción (53%) y úlcera anal (51%). 50% de mujeres llegaron con diagnóstico erróneo. Casos/año: 6 en 2015, 13 en 2016, 21 en 2017, 31 en 2018 y 6 en primer bimestre de 2019.Conclusiones: Se detectó aumento progresivo de casos de sífilis anorrectal (mayormente en HSH), que aun siendo HIV+ no usa preservativo. Actualmente debe sospecharse asociación de sífilis con LGV en HSH HIV+. La similitud clínica con patologías no venéreas y la remisión espontánea de lesiones obliga a testearla para evitar su progresión y cortar la cadena de contactos.

Introduction: STIs affect millions of people annually. Syphilis increases both globally and nationally. Anoreceptive sex is a predisposing factor and men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable. The anal lesions in primary stage cause in-tense proctalgia and in secondary stage they can simulate viral condylomas, that if they resolve spontaneously might remain without etiological diagnosis.Methods: Descriptive, ambispective, cross-sectional study. Review of records of patients seen in coloproctology at the Fernández Hospital (01/01/2015 - 03/01/2019). Patients with confirmatory serology were included. Variables ana-lyzed: sex, age, derivation diagnosis, HIV, other STDs, anal sex / oro-anal, stage, clinic and cases/year.Results: Seventy-seven cases (61 men, 12 women, 4 trans-women). Mean age of 30 years (range: 18 - 72), 48% <30 years. 83% did not use condoms (100% of HIV +). Sev-enteen cases (22%) detected during Chlamydia search. Fif-ty-eight patients (75%) had associated STIs. Syphilis, HIV and LGV coexisted in 8 MSM. Manifestations observed: proctalgia (77%), proctorrhagia (55%), discharge (53%), anal ulcer (51%). 50% of women arrived with inacurate diagnosis. Cases/year: 6 in 2015, 13 in 2016, 21 in 2017, 31 in 2018 and 6 in the first two months of 2019.Conclusions: There was a progressive increase in cases of anorectal syphilis (mostly MSM), that even when they are HIV +, does not use a condom. Currently, association of syphilis with LGV in MSM HIV + should be suspected. The clinical similarity with non-venereal pathologies and the spontaneous remission of lesions obliges to test it to avoid its progression and to break the chain of transmission

Caracterización de sífilis en embarazadas controladas en la unidad de atención y control en salud sexual del hospital San José (HSJ), Santiago de Chile (2010-2016) / Characterization of syphilis in controlled pregnant women in the sexual health care and control unit of hospital San José (HSJ), Santiago de Chile (2010-2016)

Introducción: La sífilis gestacional continúa sien-do un problema de salud pública en el mundo. Produce severos efectos adversos en la madre y en el feto de no ser tratada. En Chile, el Ministerio de Salud ha establecido un tamizaje para esta infección cada 3 meses en el embarazo y al momento del parto. Un tratamiento adecuado y oportuno es capaz de prevenir todos los efectos adversos de la sífilis en el embarazo. Métodos: Este fue un estudio transversal retrospectivo que incluyó a 406 embarazadas controladas en la Unidad de Atención y Control en Salud Sexual (UNACESS) del Hospital San José (HSJ) entre los años 2010-2016. Resultados: Los resultados del estudio fueron que un 87,7% de las embarazadas eran chilenas y un 12,3% de otras nacionalidades. Las nacionalidades más frecuentes para el grupo de extranjeras fueron: 54% peruanas y 18% haitianas. Al ingreso al estudio, 47,5% de las embarazadas se encontraban en el segundo trimestre de embarazo. De todas las participantes, un 38,7% se encontraba en riesgo de sífilis congénita. Discusión: En total, un 23% de las participantes presentó un falso positivo biológico, cifra similar a la reportada en otros estudios. En este estudio encontramos que, en gestantes extranjeras, había mayor proporción de diagnóstico tardío en que chilenas. Esto podría deberse a dificultades para ingresar a la atención en salud. Conclusión: Pese a que en Chile contamos con buenas tasas de diagnóstico, el manejo de la sífilis gestacional podría ser mejorado con una detección y tratamiento temprano. Las extranjeras buscaron atención en salud más tarde que las chilenas, por lo tanto, recibieron tratamiento más tardío y con mayor riesgo de sífilis congénita. Esto se puede explicar por dificultades para ingresar al sistema de salud.

Introduction: Syphilis in pregnancy remains a global public health problem with severe outcomes if it is not treated properly. The Chilean Ministry of Health has established syphilis screening at three times during pregnancy, with a final retest is during labor. An adequate treatment can prevent all side effects of syphilis in pregnancy. Methods: This was a descriptive, transversal study which included 406 pregnant women who consulted for potential syphilis at the Control and Treatment of Sexual Health Unit (UNACESS in Spanish) of San José Hospital (HSJ) in Santiago, Chile from 2010 to 2016.Results: A 87,7% of the pregnant women were Chilean, while 12,3% had a different nationality. Among immigrants, the most frequent nationalities were: peruvian 54% and Haitian 18%. At enrol-ment, 47,5% of the pregnant women were in their second trimester. 38,4% was at risk of congenital syphilis.Discussion: Overall, 23,1% of the participants had a false positive test, which is congruent with pre-viously reported data. In this study, we found a higher rate of late diagnosis, mainly in the immigrant pregnant women, which could be due to difficulties in accessing healthcare and cultural matters. Conclusion: Despite a high overall treatment rate, antenatal syphilis management in this population could be improved by earlier detection and treatment. Immigrant women sought attention later in pregnancy, thus receiving delayed treatment with higher risk of congenital syphilis. This could be explained by obstacles in their access to healthcare.

Syphilis in female sex workers: an epidemiological study of the highway system of the state of Pará, northern Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Female sex workers (FSWs) are considered a bridge for transmission of pathogens from high-risk to general populations. We assessed the epidemiological status of syphilis in FSWs along the Pará highway system. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-two FSWs were interviewed and samples were analyzed using rapid qualitative tests and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The prevalence of syphilis was high (36.94%). The high rate of prostitution, use of illicit drugs, and search for financial resources increased Treponema pallidum transmission through unprotected sex. CONCLUSIONS: Several characteristics of FSWs were identified, which reinforce the need for measures guaranteeing their health and protection.

A crise do desabastecimento da penicilina benzatina e o impacto na sífilis congênita: um estudo ecológico no município do Rio de Janeiro / The crisis of the shortage of benzathine penicillin supply and its impact on congenital syphilis: an ecological study in the city of Rio de Janeiro

O objeto de estudo é a crise do desabastecimento da penicilina benzatina (PB) e o impacto na sífilis congênita (SC) por um estudo ecológico no Município do Rio de Janeiro. Os objetivos são (i) descrever a evolução temporal do desabastecimento da PB, da incidência de (SC) e do aumento significativo da sua incidência no município no período de 2013-2017; (ii) estudar a relação entre o desabastecimento da PB e o aumento significativo da incidência de SC. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico do tipo misto (múltiplos grupos e temporal) baseado em dados secundários de notificação de SC e sífilis gestacional (SG), de dispensação de PB e dados demográficos das populações residentes nos bairros do município do Rio de Janeiro. As unidades de estudo foram bairro (geográfica) e trimestre (temporal) dos anos estudados. A população de estudo foi constituída por todos os casos de SC notificados pelo Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) do município do Rio de Janeiro, por local de residência (bairro) no município do Rio de Janeiro. O período de estudo considerou a necessidade de contemplar o expressivo desabastecimento de PB nas unidades de saúde. Sabe-se que em 2014, o desabastecimento se iniciou devido a problemas de ordem regulatório-sanitária, uma crise impedindo a plena atividade produtora de penicilina no mercado brasileiro. Somente em 2016 havia indícios que a situação havia sido regularizada. A exposição do estudo foi o nível de abastecimento de PB nas unidades básicas de saúde calculada pela razão entre o número de doses dispensadas e o número de doses necessárias de acordo com dados de notificação de sífilis gestacional do SINAN. O principal desfecho foi o aumento significativo da incidência de SC, mas também foi considerada a taxa de incidência da população de cada bairro. O modelo teórico contemplou a dimensão sociodemográfica (estrutura etária, sexo, mulheres chefes de família, escolaridade), a dimensão econômica (pobreza, desemprego, gini de renda), dimensão geográfica (aglomeração, homicídio) e assistência pré-natal (número de consultas, parceiros tratados e exames realizados). Para a análise de dados foi usado o modelo de regressão binomial negativo inflado de zero para variável desfecho incremento significativo da incidência de SC (> 200% em relação ao trimestre anterior) e o nível abastecimento de PB para unidades de saúde de cada bairro-trimestre/ano de 2013-2017. As variáveis consideradas no ajuste foram aquelas dimensões citadas. Os resultados indicam que (a) o desabastecimento de PB no período estudado teve distribuição heterogênea no espaço e tempo; (b) incremento da incidência de SC também distribuído heterogeneamente no tempo e espaço e (c) relação entre o desabastecimento de PB e incremento de incidência de SC, considerando a influencia dos fatores descritos no modelo teórico. Concluiu-se que o abastecimento influenciou no aumento da incidência dessa doença no Rio de Janeiro nos anos de estudo

The object of study is the crisis of the shortage of benzathine penicillin (BP) supply and the impact on congenital syphilis by an ecological study in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The goals are to (i) describe the temporal evolution of benzathine penicillin supply shortage, the incidence of congenital syphilis (CS) and the significant increase in its incidence in the municipality in the 2013-2017 period; (ii) to study the relation between the shortage of benzathine penicillin and the significant increase in the incidence of CS. This is a mixed-type (multiple groups and temporal) ecological study based on secondary data on CS and gestational syphilis (GS), benzathine penicillin dispensation, and demographic data of populations living in the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. The units of study were neighborhood (geographical) and quarter (temporal) of the studied years. The study population consisted of all cases of SC reported by the Notification Aggravation Information System (SINAN) of the city of Rio de Janeiro, by place of residence (neighborhood) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The study period considered the need to contemplate the expressive shortage of BP in the health units. It is known that in 2014, the shortage began due to regulatory-sanitary problems, a crisis that prevented the full production of penicillin in the Brazilian market. Only in 2016 were there indications that the situation had been regularized. The study's exposure was the level of BP supply in the basic health units calculated by the ratio between the number of doses dispensed and the number of doses required according to SINAN's gestational syphilis notification data. The main outcome was a significant increase in the incidence of CS, but the incidence rate of each neighborhood population was also considered. The theoretical model included the socio-demographic dimension (age structure, sex, female heads of household, schooling), economic dimension (poverty, unemployment, income gini index), geographic dimension (agglomeration, homicide) and prenatal care (amount of appointments, partners treated and examinations performed). For the data analysis it was used the negative binomial regression model inflated from zero to variable outcome significant increase of the incidence of SC (over 200% comparing the previous quarter) and the BP supply level per health units of each neighborhood-quarter each year between 2013-2017. The variables considered in the adjustment were those dimensions mentioned. The results indicate that (a) the shortage of BP in the studied period had heterogeneous distribution in space and time; (b) increase in the incidence of CS was also distributed heterogeneously in time and space, and (c) a relation between BP shortages and increased CS incidence, considering the influence of the factors described in the theoretical model. The conclusion was that the supply influenced the increase of the incidence of this disease in Rio de Janeiro in the years of study