Prevalence and associated factors of Treponema pallidum infection in a rural area of southwestern China

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological data on Treponema pallidum infection are scarce from the southwestern region of China. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution and determinants of T. pallidum infection in the region. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study of 2608 participants aged ≥14 years was conducted in a rural area of southwestern China in 2014-15. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic characteristics and other factors associated with T. pallidum infection. The diagnoses of T. pallidum, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections were determined by commercial test kits. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlates for T. pallidum infection, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: The prevalence of T. pallidum infection was 1.2% (95% CI 0.8 to 1.7%). Risk factors varied by gender. In the male group, T. pallidum infection was significantly associated with ever injection drug use (aOR = 9.42, 95% CI 2.47 to 35.87) and HCV infection (aOR = 13.28, 95% CI 3.20 to 51.70). In the female group, correlates for T. pallidum infection included spouse having syphilis (aOR = 126.66, 95% CI 7.58 to 2122.94), ever having blood transfusion (aOR = 10.51, 95% CI 1.58 to 41.21) and HBV infection (aOR = 4.19, 95% CI 1.35 to 10.93). Conclusions: The prevalence of T. pallidum infection was high in the rural area of southwestern China. Correlates for T. pallidum infection varied with sex specific. Intervention should be developed for the prevention and control of T. pallidum infection.

Systematic Review of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence in the WHO Western Pacific Region

“…In China, Li and Yi ethnic minorities appear to have a higher prevalence of HCV (7.0% exposed and 2.7% with active infection respectively) compared to the general population (0.7% exposed). Tattooing has been hypothesized as a potential route of transmission among Li people [ 19 ], while injection drug use is a probable route of transmission among the Yi ethnic minority [ 20 ]. Five studies reported HCV prevalence among migrants (Australia, the Republic of Korea, and three in China).…”

“…Refs. [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , …”

“…HCV antibody prevalence estimates among the general population or one of the proxy populations were available for 11 countries and territories. The median aggregate quality score of the 31 studies was 19 (range [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Estimates for HCV antibody prevalence among the general population were typically low at ≤1.0%, with the highest prevalence observed in Mongolia (13.6%, Figure 2).…”

“…Seventeen estimates for HCV antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs were obtained from seven countries and territories. The median aggregate quality score was 17.5 (range [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and no studies were assessed as poor-quality. HCV antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs ranged from 30% in Cambodia to 76% in the Hong Kong SAR.…”

Prevalencia de infección por Treponema pallidum en individuos atendidos en un centro especializado de Medellín, Colombia

“…Adicionalmente, estudios de otros países en población general han reportado prevalencias más bajas. Así, en Guinea Bissau, en 500 personas con edades entre 16 y 49 años, fue del 0,8 % [20]; en 210 mujeres de una universidad de Brasil, del 1,9 % [21], y en 2608 sujetos de una zona rural del suroeste China, fue del 1,2 % [22].…”