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Abstract
Dermatologists are familiar with the classic aspects of syphilis. Our objective in this update is to display novel features of sexually acquired syphilis, its pathophysiology, natural history, atypical clinical variants, skin of color, clinical pearls, and prospects. Textbook knowledge, congenital syphilis, epidemiology, and historical data are excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Navarrete
- Department of Dermatology, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile; Department of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, Hospital Padre Hurtado, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Stephanie Saavedra-Portales
- Department of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Santiago, Chile
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Aung ET, Fairley CK, Ong JJ, Chen MY, Phillips TR, Tran J, Samra R, Chow EPF. Incidence and Risk Factors for Early Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Australia, 2013-2019: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad017. [PMID: 36751651 PMCID: PMC9898878 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to examine the incidence of syphilis in men who have sex with men (MSM) and identify subgroups of MSM at a higher risk of syphilis infection. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of MSM attending a sexual health clinic in Australia, during 2013-2019, who had at least 2 syphilis serological tests during the study period. The incidence of syphilis was expressed as per 100 person-years. A cox regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors for syphilis. Results A total of 24 391 individual MSM (75 086 consultations) were included. A total of 1404 new syphilis cases were diagnosed with an incidence of 3.7/100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 3.5-3.9). Syphilis incidence was higher in MSM with human immunodeficiency virus ([HIV] 9.3/100 person-years) than in MSM taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (6.9/100 person-years) or HIV-negative MSM not taking PrEP (2.2/100 person-years). Risk factors associated with high incidence of syphilis included the following: MSM with HIV (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.7), MSM taking HIV PrEP (aHR 2.1), past history of syphilis infection (aHR 2.4), injecting drug use (aHR 2.7), condomless anal sex (aHR 1.7), >4 sexual partners in the last 12 months (aHR 1.2), and concurrent sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia and gonorrhoea) (aHR 1.6). Conclusions The incidence of syphilis remains high among MSM, particularly in subgroups with associated risk factors for syphilis infections. These data highlight the need for biomedical and behavioral interventions to be targeted to subgroups of MSM at the highest risk of syphilis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ei T Aung
- Correspondence: Ei Thu Aung, MBChB, FAChSHM, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia ( or ). A/Pro Eric Chow ()
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason J Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiffany R Phillips
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julien Tran
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ranjit Samra
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Aung ET, Fairley CK, Ong JJ, Phillips TP, Tran J, Chen MY, Maddaford K, Chow EPF. Adherence to weekly anal self-examination among men who have sex with men for detection of anal syphilis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:941041. [PMID: 35979212 PMCID: PMC9376231 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.941041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) practicing exclusively receptive anal sex are more likely to present with secondary than primary syphilis, implying primary anorectal lesions may be missed. If men could detect anorectal lesions by regular anal self-examination, the duration of infectiousness could be reduced. This study aimed to examine adherence to weekly anal self-examination. Method We conducted a longitudinal feasibility study examining the adherence to weekly anal self-examinations among MSM attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia between December 2020 and June 2021. Adherence to weekly anal self-examinations over 12 weeks was assessed from a logbook and 4-weekly surveys. Participants who identified abnormalities in their anus were recommended to seek medical review. Results Of the 30 men who completed the study, anal self-examination was performed at least weekly for 308 of 360 person-weeks (86% of the weeks, 95% CI: 82–89). The mean adherence was 3.6 (95% CI: 3.3–3.9) examinations per 4-weeks per person in Weeks 1–4, 3.5 (95% CI: 3.1–3.8) in Weeks 5–8 and 3.3 (95% CI: 2.9–3.7) in Weeks 9–12 (Ptrend = 0.06). Six men (20%, 6/30) were seen for medical review after they identified abnormalities, whilst eight men (27%, 8/30) reported abnormalities, but did not seek medical review. No participants were diagnosed with syphilis during the study period. Conclusion We conclude that men adhered well to weekly anal self-examination. Therefore, it is feasible to trial this as a routine practice among MSM. Future studies should investigate possible reductions in adherence over time and ways to increase medical review for abnormalities that men find.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ei T. Aung
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Ei T. Aung
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tiffany P. Phillips
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julien Tran
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marcus Y. Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric P. F. Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Eric P. F. Chow
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A cross-sectional survey on attitudes of men who have sex with men towards anal self-examination for detection of anal syphilis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8962. [PMID: 35624185 PMCID: PMC9142515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12881-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies suggest men who have sex with men (MSM) practising receptive anal sex are more likely to present with secondary syphilis, implying primary anorectal lesions are likely to be missed. If men could detect anorectal lesions in the primary stage by regular anal self-examination (ASE), transmission could be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to explore the attitudes of MSM on performing ASE to detect primary anorectal syphilis. An online anonymous cross-sectional survey among MSM over 18 years of age living in Australia, was conducted between July and November 2020 and recruitment was from a sexual health clinic and social media. A total of 568 MSM completed the survey (median age: 34 [IQR 27–45]): 32% (183) had previously performed ASE. Among 66% (374) who had never performed ASE, 68% (250) would consider performing ASE in the future with a preferred median frequency of 2 times per 4 weeks (IQR 1–4), whilst men who were already performing ASE were performing it at median 1 per 4 weeks (IQR 0.2–3). Almost two-thirds of MSM who had never performed ASE were willing to adopt ASE practice in the future. Studies are required to determine the effectiveness of ASE for syphilis detection.
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Aung ET, Chow EP, Fairley CK, Phillips TR, Chen MY, Tran J, Maddaford K, Rodriguez ER, Ong JJ. Preferences of men who have sex with men for performing anal self-examination for the detection of anal syphilis in Australia: A discrete choice experiment. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2022; 21:100401. [PMID: 35243457 PMCID: PMC8873922 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular anal self-examination could potentially reduce syphilis transmission by detecting anal syphilis earlier among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to examine the preferences of MSM on performing anal self-examination to detect anal syphilis. METHODS An online survey with a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was distributed to MSM attending a sexual health clinic and through social media in Australia between June and November 2020. The DCE examined the preferred attributes of anal self-examination that would encourage MSM to perform anal self-examination. Data were analysed using a random parameters logit (RPL) model. FINDINGS The median age of 557 MSM who completed the survey was 35 (inter quartile range, 27-45). The choice to perform anal self-examination was most influenced by two attributes: the accuracy of anal self-examination to diagnose anal syphilis, and the frequency of anal self-examination, followed by the type of instruction materials to perform anal self-examination, waiting time for medical review, and type of support received if abnormalities were found. Using the most preferred attributes, 98% of people would conduct anal self-examination compared with 35% when the least preferred anal self-examination attributes were offered. INTERPRETATION If anal self-examination were recommended for anal syphilis screening, it will be important to consider preferences of MSM: men were more likely to undertake anal self-examination if the frequency was once a month and there was higher accuracy of detecting anal syphilis. FUNDING Australian National Health And Medical Research Council.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ei T. Aung
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric P.F. Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiffany R. Phillips
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Y. Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julien Tran
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elena R. Rodriguez
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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