Recent outbreaks of infectious syphilis, United Kingdom, January 2012 to April 2014

Simms, Ian; Wallace, Lesley; Thomas, Daniel Rhys; Emmett, Lynsey; Shankar, Ananda Giri; Vinson, Md; Padfield, Simon; Andrady, Ushan; Whiteside, C.; Williams, Christopher J.; Midgley, Claire M; Johnman, Cathy; McLellan, Andrea; Currie, Alison; Logan, John; Leslie, Gavin; Licence, Kirsty; Hughes, Gwenda

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.24.20833

Cited by 23 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…In cities, such as London, Manchester and Brighton, syphilis is now endemic. However, in recent years, there have been a number of outbreaks reported outside of these urban areas 2. These clusters, occurring in areas with a relatively low background incidence, indicate the potential for outbreaks of syphilis wherever active sexual networks exist, particularly those which link out geographically and socially to established high-incidence MSM populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outbreak of syphilis in men who have sex with men living in rural North Wales (UK) associated with the use of social media

et al. 2016

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outbreak of syphilis in men who have sex with men living in rural North Wales (UK) associated with the use of social media

et al. 2016

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“…Epidemiological data, however, indicate that syphilis is still a relevant global health concern, with an estimated prevalence of 36 million individuals affected worldwide [ 3 ], and an incidence of >11 million new cases every year. Although the majority of syphilis cases occur in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and South-East Asia [ 4 ], a resurgence of syphilis has been observed over the past decade in the US, Canada, Australia, China, and several European countries [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Furthermore, evidence that congenital transmission of this disease is a leading cause of stillbirths and perinatal deaths in developing areas [ 11 , 12 ], and that patients with syphilis are at increased risk for transmission and acquisition of HIV [ 13 , 14 ], also contributes to make syphilis an important global health problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum TP0136 Protein Is Heterogeneous among Isolates and Binds Cellular and Plasma Fibronectin via its NH2-Terminal End

Molini

Lukehart

et al. 2015

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Adherence-mediated colonization plays an important role in pathogenesis of microbial infections, particularly those caused by extracellular pathogens responsible for systemic diseases, such as Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum), the agent of syphilis. Among T. pallidum adhesins, TP0136 is known to bind fibronectin (Fn), an important constituent of the host extracellular matrix. To deepen our understanding of the TP0136-Fn interaction dynamics, we used two naturally-occurring sequence variants of the TP0136 protein to investigate which region of the protein is responsible for Fn binding, and whether TP0136 would adhere to human cellular Fn in addition to plasma Fn and super Fn as previously reported. Fn binding assays were performed with recombinant proteins representing the two full-length TP0136 variants and their discrete regions. As a complementary approach, we tested inhibition of T. pallidum binding to Fn by recombinant full-length TP0136 proteins and fragments, as well as by anti-TP0136 immune sera. Our results show that TP0136 adheres more efficiently to cellular Fn than to plasma Fn, that the TP0136 NH2-terminal conserved region of the protein is primarily responsible for binding to plasma Fn but that binding sites for cellular Fn are also present in the protein’s central and COOH-terminal regions. Additionally, message quantification studies show that tp0136 is highly transcribed during experimental infection, and that its message level increases in parallel to the host immune pressure on the pathogen, which suggests a possible role for this protein in T. pallidum persistence. In a time where syphilis incidence is high, our data will help in the quest to identify suitable targets for development of a much needed vaccine against this important disease.

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“…Sexually transmitted infections (STI) continue to rise among gay men, bisexual men and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in the United Kingdom (UK) [1–3]. Meeting sexual partners through geosocial networking apps, referred to as ‘dating apps’ hereafter, and social media [4] influences the transmission of STIs by increasing social networks, facilitating rapid partner change, disassortative mixing and, reducing the time for epidemics to spread [5–10]. Indeed, Beymer and colleagues found that use of dating apps for meeting sexual partners increased the likelihood of MSM testing positive for chlamydia and gonorrhoea compared to meeting partners through in-person methods [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptability and potential impact of delivering sexual health promotion information through social media and dating apps to MSM in England: a qualitative study

et al. 2019

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Background Increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in England is a pressing public health concern. Interventions targeting MSM, including information provision that effectively promotes sexual health, are needed. To support such intervention development, it is necessary to understand acceptable ways of delivering sexual health information. We explored the acceptability and potential uses and impacts of delivering sexual health information to MSM through social media and geosocial networking apps or dating apps. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person or by telephone with 25 MSM resident in England recruited via dating apps and social media advertisements. Interviews explored sexual health information sources, perceptions and uses. Attitudes towards sexual health promotion through social media and dating apps were then discussed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Sexual health information delivery through social media and dating apps was considered acceptable. Receiving information when browsing social media was viewed positively by most, as people have time to absorb information. In contrast, concerns were expressed that sharing or commenting on social media sexual health information may lead to judgements and discrimination. While social media reaches a high proportion of the population, dating apps can easily target MSM. However, tensions exist between the ability to provide information at an opportune time through dating apps, when users are connecting with new sexual partners, with the potential to adversely affect the app user’s experience. Hypothetical and actual uses and impacts of sexual health information ranged from no impact to reading information, sharing with peers, and increased awareness, to influencing healthcare-seeking, decision-making and risk-taking behaviours. Ensuring that information is engaging, positive in tone, not too clinical, focused on building social norms and delivered by trusted organisations were viewed as important for supporting its use. Conclusions Overall, these findings support the development of new interventions that use dating apps and social media for sexual health promotion. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7558-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Recent outbreaks of infectious syphilis, United Kingdom, January 2012 to April 2014

Cited by 23 publications

References 10 publications

Outbreak of syphilis in men who have sex with men living in rural North Wales (UK) associated with the use of social media

Outbreak of syphilis in men who have sex with men living in rural North Wales (UK) associated with the use of social media

Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum TP0136 Protein Is Heterogeneous among Isolates and Binds Cellular and Plasma Fibronectin via its NH2-Terminal End

Acceptability and potential impact of delivering sexual health promotion information through social media and dating apps to MSM in England: a qualitative study

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