Hopkins S, Lyons F, Mulcahy F, Bergin C
Department of Genitourinary Medicine, St James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.
Sex Transm Infect. 2001 Oct;77(5):316-8. doi: 10.1136/sti.77.5.316.
An outbreak of syphilis has been identified primarily in Dublin, Ireland. On a background of a stable low incidence of syphilis, a significant increase in the number of cases of syphilis has been observed over the past 18 months.
181 cases of syphilis were seen in this period. 121 were defined as early syphilis. These cases were mainly among men who have sex with men (92%). A high rate of HIV co-infection was present; 16 patients who regularly attended HIV clinics were diagnosed with early syphilis. Nine patients were co-diagnosed with HIV and early syphilis. High risk behaviour and concurrent diagnoses with other sexually transmitted infections were prevalent in this cohort. Sexual networks were also investigated.
An education campaign, widespread advertisements, and on-site testing in commercial venues have revealed further cases. Safer sex messages need to be emphasised particularly among the HIV population. Further innovative strategies continue to be explored.
已确认主要在爱尔兰都柏林爆发了梅毒疫情。在梅毒发病率稳定且较低的背景下，过去18个月中梅毒病例数显著增加。
在此期间共发现181例梅毒病例。其中121例被定义为早期梅毒。这些病例主要发生在男男性行为者中（92%）。同时存在较高的艾滋病毒合并感染率；16名定期前往艾滋病毒诊所就诊的患者被诊断为早期梅毒。9名患者同时被诊断出感染艾滋病毒和早期梅毒。该队列中高危行为以及与其他性传播感染的合并诊断很普遍。还对性网络进行了调查。
一场教育活动、广泛的广告宣传以及在商业场所进行的现场检测发现了更多病例。尤其需要在艾滋病毒感染者群体中强调安全性行为信息。继续探索进一步的创新策略。
