Evidence for increased transmission of syphilis among homosexual men and heterosexual men and women in Europe

O’Flanagan, D; Couturier, Élisabeth; Doherty, Lorraine; Fenton, KA

doi:10.2807/esw.04.50.01472-en

Cited by 10 publications

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“…Because of the availability of cost-effective treatment and better prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI) following the emergence of HIV in the 1980s, syphilis infection had almost disappeared in western European countries by the end of the 90s [1][2][3][4][5]. However, since 2000, France as well as other western European countries has been facing an increasing number of syphilis cases especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), although heterosexual transmissions affecting an increasing number of women are reported too [6,7]. Neither syphilis infection nor congenital syphilis (CS) is notifiable in France.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reported cases of congenital syphilis in the French national hospital database

et al. 2008

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In France, the resurgence of syphilis infection since the beginning of the 2000s, with cases reported among women of reproductive age is a reason for concern considering the possible occurrence of congenital syphilis (CS). Using the French national private and public hospital database, we investigated the number of children with a diagnosis of CS born in France in 2004. Six cases less than one year old were identified as probable CS in the database. Two of these cases were adopted children from outside Europe, whereas the other four were born in France. The mothers of these last four infants tested positive for syphilis during the third trimester of pregnancy, two of them during premature delivery. Three of the four mothers were born abroad. Specific socio-cultural conditions may have been responsible for a lack of antenatal care responsible for the disease. Since CS is a preventable disease and the treatment of syphilis infection is cost-effective, we conclude that surveillance of CS cases and assessment of syphilis screening practises during pregnancy should be performed to prevent the occurrence of CS cases in France.

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