Genomic epidemiology of syphilis in England: a population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Since 2012, syphilis rates have risen dramatically in many high-income countries, including England. Although this increase in syphilis prevalence is known to be associated with high-risk sexual activity in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), cases are rising in heterosexual men and women. The transmission dynamics within and between sexual networks of GBMSM and heterosexual people are not well understood. We aimed to investigate if whole genome sequencing could be used to supplement or enhance epidemiological insights around syphilis transmission.

Methods

We linked national patient demographic, geospatial, and behavioural metadata to wh

SUBMITTER: Beale MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10547597 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature