Incidência de sífilis no estado do Rio de Janeiro e nomunicípio de Seropédica nos anos de 2010 a 2022 / Incidence of syphilis in the state of Rio de Janeiro andmunicipality of Seropédica in the years 2010 to 2022

Sífilis é uma infecção sexualmente transmissível (IST) que sinaliza a necessidade de efetivas políticas públicas devido ao aumento de casos na última década. Dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho é descrever a incidência de sífilis no estado do Rio de Janeiro e no município de Seropédica. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por meio do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), referentes ao município de Seropédica e ao estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 2010 a 2022. Resultados: foram identificados 105.138, 79.609 e 42.819 casos de sífilis adquirida, em gestantes e congênita, respectivamente, no estado do Rio de Janeiro e 187, 140 e 79 casos de sífilis adquirida, em gestantes e congênita, respectivamente, no município de Seropédica. Foi observado uma incidência maior para sífilis adquirida entre homens em comparação com mulheres tanto no estado do Rio de Janeiro (62.719 versus 42.346) quanto no município de Seropédica (110 versus 77). Houve um aumento nas taxas de incidência de sífilis no estado do Rio de Janeiro e no município de Seropédica ao longo dos anos. Conclusão: a sífilis segue sendo uma doença com alta incidência no território do Rio de Janeiro. Nesse sentido, é importante elaborar estratégias em saúde pública mais efetivas às pessoas acometidas por tal infecção.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that signals the need for effective public policies due to the increase in cases in the last decade. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the incidence of syphilis in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in the municipality of Seropédica. Methods: a descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out. Data collection was performed through the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), referring to the municipality of Seropédica and the state of Rio de Janeiro, from 2010 to 2022. Results: overall, 105.138, 79.609 and 42.819 cases of acquired syphilis, in pregnant women, and congenital syphilis, respectively, were identified in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and 187, 140, and 79 cases of acquired syphilis, in pregnant women, and congenital syphilis, respectively, were identified in the municipality of Seropédica. A higher incidence of acquired syphilis was observed among men compared to women both in the state of Rio de Janeiro (62.719 versus 42.346) and in the municipality of Seropédica (110 versus 77). There has been an increase in the incidence rates of syphilis in the state of Rio de Janeiro and the municipality of Seropédica over the years. Conclusion: syphilis continues to be a disease with a high incidence in the territory of Rio de Janeiro. In this sense, it is important to develop more effective public health strategies for people affected by this infection.

Syphilis Clinical Complexity: A Dual-Case Study Illustrating Diagnostic Dilemmas and Management Strategies.

Syphilis, a bacterial sexually transmitted infection, poses diagnostic challenges due to its diverse clinical manifestations. This report presents two distinctive cases illustrating the diagnostic dilemmas and management strategies associated with syphilis. The first case describes a male in his early 30s presenting with secondary syphilis and condyloma lata, illustrating the atypical genital lesions that can arise. The second case involves a male in his late 40s with late latent syphilis exhibiting unusual cutaneous manifestations, underscoring the diagnostic complexities of the disease. These cases underscore the importance of healthcare providers remaining vigilant in identifying unusual presentations of syphilis to ensure timely intervention and prevent transmission and complications.

Syphilis vaccine development: Aligning vaccine design with manufacturing requirements.

Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, is a global health concern with increasing rates worldwide. Current prevention strategies, including screen-and-treat approaches, are not sufficient to resolve rising infection rates, emphasizing the need for a vaccine. Developing a syphilis vaccine necessitates a range of cross-disciplinary considerations, including essential disease-specific protection, technical requirements, economic feasibility, manufacturing constraints, public acceptance, equitable vaccine access, alignment with global public vaccination programs, and identification of essential populations to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Central to syphilis vaccine development is prioritization of global vaccine availability, including access in low- to middle-income settings. Various vaccine platforms, including subunit, virus-like particle (VLP), mRNA, and outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccines, present both advantages and challenges. The proactive consideration of both manufacturing feasibility and efficacy throughout the pre-clinical research and development stages is essential for producing an efficacious, inexpensive, and scalable syphilis vaccine to address the growing global health burden caused by this disease.

Syphilitic gumma presenting as squamous cell carcinoma of Vulva: A case report.

Introduction: Tertiary syphilis, a late form of the disease with neurologic, cutaneous, and cardiovascular manifestations, is rarely seen in the United States in modern times. Also called the "great imitator," syphilis tends to mimic other disease processes, which can lead to a delay in proper diagnosis and treatment. Case: We present the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented for evaluation of possible squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. After multiple inconclusive biopsies and extensive workup with multiple providers, she was instead found to have cutaneous and neurologic tertiary syphilis. A correct diagnosis was delayed in this patient due to a presentation not consistent with classical teachings and due to a lack of access to care. Conclusion: Syphilis has characteristic signs and symptoms, but in practice, it can have an indolent presentation that may differ from traditional presentations. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive case report of vulvar cutaneous syphilis masquerading as squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. This case also provides additional evidence for the necessity of comprehensive gynecologic care and sexual history-taking in the post-menopausal populations and in rural communities.

Mucocutaneous relapse during late latent syphilis as initial presentation of HIV infection.

Syphilis is a re-emerging sexually transmitted infection. According to the definition, latent syphilis is characterized by seroreactivity without clinical manifestations. Here, we reported an atypical case of syphilis in a patient with HIV naïve to the antiretroviral treatment characterized by mucocutaneous relapse that occurred in the late latent stage. The patient reported his last sexual intercourse about 18 months ago and had self-healing genital and palmoplantar lesions more than 1 year before the presentation. He denied any other types of sexual relationship. He presented with mucocutaneous scattered lesions on his face, neck, palms, soles, penis, and scrotum. He was compliant with arthralgias, myalgias, asthenia, new onset stypsis, and mild anorectal pain. Testing for Syphilis and HIV returned positive. Opportunistic infections were excluded, and antiretroviral therapy with a bictegravir-based regimen was started. Syphilis was treated successfully with three doses of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin.

Syphilitic uvula ulcer.

A 42-year-old sexually active man with HIV on ART (antiretroviral therapy) who has a history of syphilis presented with fever and severe sore throat for which he could not eat or drink. He admitted to high-risk sexual intercourse with multiple partners 10 days prior. Physical examination revealed an injected throat and uvula ulcer. PCR for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum from pharynx and rapid group A streptococci test were negative. No significant bacteria were grown from the throat swab culture. The RPR (rapid plasma reagin) titer, which had previously been negative, increased to 1:2. From these results, uvula ulcer was thought to be caused by primary syphilis. He was treated with one shot of benzylpenicillin 2.4 million units intramuscularly, and his ulcer completely disappeared in seven days.

Diagnostic uncertainties in congenital syphilis: A case report.

Congenital syphilis is a forgotten disease, and often misdiagnosed. It can present with a myriad of clinical features, mimicking various other conditions therefore posing difficulty in diagnosis. Patient may be born preterm with low birth weight, failure to thrive with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis. It is a treatable condition, commonly treated with penicillin or ceftriaxone.

Successful open repair of syphilitic thoracoabdominal aneurysm.

Most syphilitic aneurysms involve the ascending aorta. Those involving the descending aorta are less common, and those involving the abdominal aorta are unusual. Rarer yet, we present the case of a 40-year-old man with HIV and a history of syphilis with a thoracoabdominal aneurysm. The patient underwent antiretroviral therapy before elective open repair. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged home. Pathology demonstrated medial necrosis. Postoperatively, he was seen well in our multidisciplinary aorta center clinic. Today's vascular surgeons should be cognizant of cardiovascular syphilis. Successful care requires awareness of atypical presentations in addition to multispecialty care.

Contagious Vibrations: Sympathetic Resonance as a Model for Disease Transmission in the Writings of Ficino, Fracastoro, and Cardano.

Contagious diseases were among the most vexing problems in ancient theories of health, which could not easily account for how a corruption of one person's humors could cause a similar corruption in another's. One useful explanatory concept for Renaissance doctors tackling this theoretical gap was the phenomenon of resonance or "sympathetic vibration" - where one stationary string begins to vibrate spontaneously when a similarly tuned string is plucked nearby - as both resonance and contagion involved some mysterious, insensible action at a distance between an agent and a patient. Tracing the writings of Marsilio Ficino, Girolamo Fracastoro, and Girolamo Cardano, this essay explores the relationships between the writers' accounts of sympathetic vibrations and their contagion theories. It argues that different conceptions of the acoustic phenomenon - either as a manifestation of a Neo-Platonic World-Soul that underpinned the universe or else as a physical effect - revealed the writers' cosmological views that, in turn, informed their accounts of the human body and disease.

Molluscum contagiosum is associated with atopic dermatitis and sexually transmitted infections in a matched case-control study using a national database.

BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a poxvirus that manifests as firm, smooth, dome-shaped, umbilicated, flesh-colored papules. In adults, MC is commonly spread by sexual contact, and is self-limited in patients with intact immune systems but more widely distributed and difficult to treat in immunocompromised persons. We analyzed cases of adult MC for associations with immunosuppression, lifestyle risk factors, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). METHODS: Using the All of Us Research Program database, adults with MC were identified and matched with controls 1:10 based on demographic factors. Comorbidities, lifestyle risk factors, and medication exposures were analyzed. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Our analysis included 146 cases of adults with MC and 1460 demographic-matched controls. Patients with MC were 48 years old on average, 59% female, and majority White (82.5%). Controls were similar for all demographic features. Adults with MC were more likely to have syphilis (odds ratio (OR) 16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.57-99.5), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (OR 9.54; 95% CI 3.95-23.0), chlamydia (OR 6.24; 95% CI 2.38-16.4), condyloma acuminata (OR 13.9; 95% CI 7.36-26.2), genital herpes (OR 4.13; 95% CI 1.87-9.15), or atopic dermatitis (AD) (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.5-5.4) (all p < .01). There were no differences in prevalence of other comorbidities, lifestyle risk factors, nor medication exposures (all p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that adult MC is associated with AD and STIs, including HIV, chlamydia, condyloma acuminata, genital herpes, and syphilis. Sexually active adolescents and adults and those diagnosed with AD may be screened for MC and counseled on their potentially increased risk.

Longitudinal Modeling of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV.

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (BSTIs) are largely preventable, yet their rates remain high across the U.S., particularly among sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV (LWH). We explored longitudinal factors associated with BSTI acquisition in a national online sample of SMM LWH with recent suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) or virologic non-suppression, such as spread within sexual networks, drug use in a sexual context (chemsex), and mental health issues. Participants completed online surveys over 12 months as part of an eHealth intervention. Over 12 months, 30% of participants self-reported at least one BSTI, with 28-45% reporting recurrent infections in consecutive surveys. Using generalized estimating equations with a binomial distribution and an exchangeable correlation structure, we found that BSTI accumulation was associated with chemsex, a higher number of anal sex partners, participation in exchange sex, and depressive symptoms. To reduce the burden of BSTIs among SMM LWH, public health initiatives and clinical settings should adopt a comprehensive sexual health approach, addressing chemsex, exchange sex, and associated mental health conditions. Addressing these factors can mitigate BSTI recurrence and improve overall sexual health among SMM LWH.

Acceptability and performance of dual HIV/syphilis testing in male circumcision clients, 2021.

Background: Dual HIV/syphilis testing may be an acceptable intervention to identify men with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and at risk of HIV acquisition. Objectives: We sought to determine the acceptability, and performance of dual HIV/syphilis testing among men attending voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services at six public sector facilities in Gauteng. Method: This was a cross-sectional study at VMMC facilities. Men ≥ 18 years were enrolled. The men had (1) a questionnaire administered, (2) on-site dual HIV/syphilis testing with First Response HIV1+2/Syphilis Combo Card Test by routine lay counsellors, and (3) a blood specimen collected for centralised laboratory testing for HIV and syphilis serology. We evaluated pre-test and post-test acceptability and performance compared to serological testing. Results: Of the 679 men analysed (median age 32.1 years), 96.7% of HIV-negative men preferred testing for HIV and syphilis simultaneously. Of the 675 men tested for syphilis, 28 (4.7%) tested positive (past or recent). In the laboratory, 43/609 (7.1%) had syphilis infection detected, with 9/609 (1.5%) having recent syphilis. There was sub-optimal sensitivity for HIV detection (90.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.5% - 93.3%), and for past/recent syphilis (55.8%; 95% CI: 51.9% - 59.8%), improving to 88.9% (95% CI: 86.4% - 91.4%) for recent syphilis. Specificities were > 99% for HIV and syphilis (past or recent). Post-test acceptability was 96.6% and willingness to pay for future testing was 86.1%. Conclusion: Dual HIV/syphilis testing was acceptable but had sub-optimal sensitivity for HIV and syphilis. Syphilis detection was adequate for recent infection.

Worrying increase in the risk of vertical transmission of syphilis in Croatia, 2020 to 2024.

Four infants potentially exposed to syphilis infection in utero, meeting World Health Organization surveillance criteria of congenital syphilis (CS), were diagnosed in Croatia between September 2020 and January 2024. We conducted a retrospective analysis of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data of these cases to assess compliance with surveillance case definitions. As only one confirmed CS case has been reported in Croatia in over 2 decades, these reports signal an increased risk of syphilis vertical transmission and warrant strengthening antenatal screening.

Impact of recent criteria changes for the deferral criteria specific to men who have sex with men in France.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 2016, France allowed men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate blood if they had not had sex with men in the previous 12 months. In April 2020, this restriction was relaxed to 4 months due to the lack of negative impact observed on blood safety. This study assesses the impact of reducing this deferral period on epidemiological surveillance indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study compares infection surveillance indicators between two 30-month periods before (P1) and after (P2) this second deferral change. RESULTS: Overall, 79 donations tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (49 in P1 and 30 in P2), 322 for hepatitis C virus (HCV) (185 and 137), 622 for hepatitis B virus (HBV) (355 and 267) and 1684 for syphilis (799 and 885). Positive donation rates decreased between P1 and P2, except for syphilis: HIV (0.07/10,000 donations vs. 0.04; p > 0.5), HCV (0.25 vs. 0.20; p < 0.05), HBV (0.49 vs. 0.39; p < 0.01) and syphilis (1.10 vs. 1.29; p < 0.001). For all three viruses, residual risks of transmission by transfusion did not increase: HIV (1/7,800,000 donations vs. 1/10,500,000), HCV (1/25,200,000 vs. 1/47,300,000) and HBV (1/6,400,000 vs. 1/6,000,000). CONCLUSION: Reducing the deferral period for MSM in April 2020 did not negatively impact residual risks, which remained very low, or the rate of positive donations, except for syphilis, which requires careful monitoring. To ensure equal access to blood donation, MSM have been allowed to donate blood under the same conditions as other donors since March 2022 (i.e., no more than one sexual partner in the last 4 months).

Syphilis testing, incidence, and reinfection among gay and bisexual men in Australia over a decade spanning HIV PrEP implementation: an analysis of surveillance data from 2012 to 2022.

Background: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) remain overrepresented among syphilis diagnoses in Australia and globally. The extent to which changes in sexual networks associated with HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP) may have influenced syphilis transmission among GBM at the population-level is poorly understood. We describe trends in syphilis testing and incidence among GBM in Australia over eleven years spanning widespread uptake of HIV PrEP and TasP. Methods: We analysed linked clinical data from GBM aged 16 years or older across a sentinel surveillance network in Australia from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022. Individuals with at least two clinic visits and with at least two syphilis tests during the observations period were included in testing and incidence analyses, respectively. Annual rates of testing and infectious syphilis incidence from 2012 to 2022 were disaggregated by HIV status and PrEP use (record of PrEP prescription; retrospectively categorised as ever or never-PrEP user). Cox regression explored associations between demographics, PrEP use and history of bacterial sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and infectious syphilis diagnosis. Findings: Among 129,278 GBM (mean age, 34.6 years [SD, 12.2]) included in testing rate analyses, 7.4% were living with HIV at entry and 31.1% were prescribed PrEP at least once during the study period. Overall syphilis testing rate was 114.0/100 person-years (py) and highest among GBM with HIV (168.4/100 py). Syphilis testing increased from 72.8/100 py to 151.8/100 py; driven largely by increases among ever-PrEP users. Among 94,710 GBM included in incidence analyses, there were 14,710 syphilis infections diagnosed over 451,560 person-years (incidence rate = 3.3/100 py). Syphilis incidence was highest among GBM with HIV (6.5/100 py), followed by ever-PrEP users (3.5/100 py) and never-PrEP users (1.4/100 py). From 2012 to 2022, syphilis incidence increased among ever-PrEP users from 1.3/100 py to 5.1/100 py, and fluctuated between 5.4/100 py and 6.6/100 py among GBM with HIV. In multivariable Cox regression, previous syphilis diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.83-2.14), living with HIV (aHR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.12-1.25) and recent (past 12 m) prescription of PrEP (aHR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.61-1.97) were associated with syphilis diagnosis. Interpretation: Syphilis trends between GBM with HIV and GBM with evidence of PrEP use have converged over the past decade in Australia. Our findings recommend targeting emergent syphilis control strategies (e.g. doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) to GBM with prior syphilis diagnoses, using HIV PrEP or who are living with HIV. Funding: Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, National Health and Medical Research Council.

Syphilis presenting as optic neuritis and subdural haematoma with complicating neuro Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.

A man in his 50s presented with a 3-week history of painless blurry vision. The ocular examination showed decreased visual acuity and 3+ bilateral papilloedema. A CT of the brain without contrast revealed a 5 mm left subdural haematoma. Anti-treponemal IgG antibodies were positive, and a reflex rapid plasma regain (RPR) was >1:64. HIV serology was negative. Ophthalmology and infectious diseases agreed that the presentation was consistent with ocular syphilis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed an elevated CSF protein of 52 mg/dL and CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) of 1:1. Penicillin was started. The patient developed a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction soon after. He had a fever, rash and worsening headaches due to the enlargement of subdural haematoma for which he underwent a burr hole drainage. Vision improved after completing penicillin therapy but did not recover fully. The CSF VDRL became non-reactive and serum RPR titre decreased to 1:8 3 months later.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, hiv and syphilis among blood donors at a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu-Somalia in 2020-2022: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The safety of blood donation requires screening for transfusion-transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in blood donors of Mogadishu Tertiary Care Hospital, Somalia from 2020 to 2022. METHODS: The records of 109,385 blood donors who attended our blood center in Mogadishu-Somalia between 2020 and 2022 were examined retrospectively. Serum samples of donors; HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and syphilisscreening tests were studied using the microparticleEnzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA)(Vitros, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, U.S) method.The distribution of HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and syphilis positivity rates of 109,385 blood donors according to years, gender and age were examined. Kolmogorov Smirnov, Skewness, Kurtosis tests and histogram were used for normality analysis. Chi-squared test (χ2) and Fisher Exact test were used to analyze categorical data. Categorical variables were expressed as frequency (percentage). Analysis of continuous data was performed with the Mann Whitney U test. P < 0.05 value was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: HBsAg positivity was found in 0.6% of the donors, anti-HCV positivity in 0.01%, anti-HIV positivity in 0.03% and syphilispositivity in 0.3%. The results showed that among the blood donors, the prevalence of syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis Cwas notably low. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis among blood donors in Somalia was found to be quite low. Even if our found seroprevalence rates are low, to guarantee the safety of blood for recipients, strict selection of blood donors and thorough screening of donors' blood using accepted procedures are strongly advised.