Enhancing the Control of Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men by Focusing on Acute Infectious Primary Syphilis and Core Transmission Groups.

ABSTRACT: The syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been increasing steadily. Many syphilis control programs focus on assuring treatment of all persons diagnosed with early syphilis without prioritizing acute primary syphilis or specific subgroups. Acute primary syphilis is highly infectious and contributes to a high proportion of new cases. Surveillance data show that among MSM with incident syphilis (primary or secondary) only about 35% are identified in the primary stage, indicating that most primary cases are missed and untreated. Patients with primary syphilis and large numbers of sex partners may play a major role in maintaining syphilis transmission. Considering those issues, sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs should consider increasing their focus on primary sy

SUBMITTER: Gunn RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6887624 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature