Risk Factors for Repeat Syphilis in Men Who Have Sex With Men, San Francisco
- 1 June 2009
- journal article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Vol. 36 (6), 331-335
- https://doi.org/10.1097/olq.0b013e3181990c85
Abstract
Syphilis incidence has increased dramatically in the United States since 2000, occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM) and disproportionately affecting those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The continued increases in syphilis rates among MSM signals the need for enhanced prevention methods. We undertook a study to examine the rate of repeat syphilis infection among MSM in San Francisco and to identify risk factors associated with syphilis reinfection that may inform additional prevention strategies. We developed a retrospective cohort of all cases of primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis among MSM diagnosed in San Francisco in 2001 and 2002. We evaluated data through the end of 2003 to determine all cases of syphilis reinfection, defined as a new infection that occurred within 1 year after prior syphilis infection and treatment. We found that 6.7% (42/624) of cases had a repeat syphilis infection within 1 year. HIV infection was associated with an increased risk of repeat infection (OR = 4.7; CI, 1.8-12.0). No differences in age, race, number of period sex partners, illicit substance use, or partner meeting venues were observed between cases with and without repeat infection. Our study revealed that HIV-infected MSM with syphilis represent an at-risk group for repeat syphilis infection. Targeting increased screening and risk reduction interventions to HIV-infected MSM in care could reduce the overall incidence of syphilis among MSM.This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
- Rising Rates of Syphilis in the Era of Syphilis EliminationSexually Transmitted Diseases, 2007
- The Public Health Response to Epidemic Syphilis, San Francisco, 1999–2004Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2005
- Control of Syphilis Outbreaks in Men Who Have Sex With Men: The Role of Screening in Nonmedical SettingsSexually Transmitted Diseases, 2005
- Risk Factors for Early Syphilis Among Gay and Bisexual Men Seen in an STD Clinic: San Francisco, 2002–2003Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2005
- Use of the Serologic Testing Algorithm for Recent HIV Seroconversion (STARHS) to Identify Recently Acquired HIV Infections in Men With Early Syphilis in Los Angeles CountyJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2005
- Sexually transmitted diseases in men who have sex with men: A clinical reviewCurrent Infectious Disease Reports, 2003
- CONTINUING INCREASES IN SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF, 1999–2001American Journal of Public Health, 2002
- Rapid Public Health Interventions in Response to an Outbreak of Syphilis in Los AngelesSexually Transmitted Diseases, 2002
- Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment on HIV Seroincidence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: San FranciscoAmerican Journal of Public Health, 2002
- Are we headed for a resurgence of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men?American Journal of Public Health, 2001