Epidemiology of syphilis in Hungary between 1952 and 1996.

Trends in morbidity from syphilis in Hungary between 1952 and 1996 were analysed. The incidence of syphilis/100,000 inhabitants declined rapidly owing to the public health and therapeutic measures of the early 1950s (1952: total=73.6, early infections=60.2; 1962: total=13.7, early infections=8.7). After a temporary, slight increase until 1973 the number of reported syphilis cases declined continuously between 1978 and 1989 (1989: total=0.9, early infections=0.84). In 1994 a marked increase occurred when compared with 1993 (1993: total=early: 1.4. 1994: total=2.3, early infections=2.2). Incidence trends were statistically analysed using Chi-square test and linear regression. Chi-square analysis showed that the changes in the incidence of total and early syphilis are significant (P<0.00001) comparing the time intervals 1952-1962 with 1962-1966 and 1975-1979 with 1988-1992. The same trends were found using the linear regression test, except for the time interval of 1960-1973.

A comparative study for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae with DNA probe (a note).

A newly developed DNA probe assay (Gen-Probe Pace 2 San Diego, USA) was compared with Chlamydia trachomatis direct immunofluorescence and Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture. Detection of C. trachomatis in cervical specimens from women and urethral specimens from men showed 23% positivity out of 313 cases. Out of the 69 positive cases 40 were positive with both examinations, in 29 cases only with DNA probe. Examinations of N. gonorrhoeae in 254 patients gave 98% positivity. Sensitivity of DNA probe assay was 100%, specificity was 97.8%. On the basis of preliminary data Gen-Probe is suitable for the detection of both causative agents.

HTLV-I-related retroviral markers in Hungarian patients with mycosis fungoides.

Cell and serum samples from 7 Hungarian patients with mycosis fungoides were examined for the presence of HTLV-I-related DNA sequences and antibodies recognizing HTLV-I antigens. DNA sequences distantly related to the proviral DNA of HTLV-I were shown by Southern blot hybridization in 3 patients. Serum samples from these patients contained antibodies reactive with the internal core polypeptides of HTLV-I and HTLV-II, but not with the env gene encoded type-specific HTLV antigens. Restriction enzyme analysis with EcoRI, PstI, BamHI and SacI revealed structural similarity of the provirus(es) integrated in the DNA of mycosis fungoides cells to HTLV-I but not to HTLV-II. Data suggest that these proviruses and HTLV-I are similar to each other along gag and pol regions.