BMJ Open 2017 Aug 18;7(8):e017388. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

Introduction: New interventions are required to reduce unintended pregnancies among female sex workers (FSWs) in low- and middle-income countries and to improve their nutritional health. Given sex workers' high mobile phone usage, repeated exposure to short messaging service (SMS) messages could address individual and interpersonal barriers to contraceptive uptake and better nutrition.

Methods: In this two-arm cluster randomised trial, each arm constitutes an equal-attention control group for the other. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2017 Aug 18;17(1):577. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), one the most common causes of genital ulcers, appears to increase both the risk of HIV acquisition and HIV transmission. HSV-2/HIV co-infection among pregnant women may increase the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV. This study describes rates of HSV-2 among pregnant women in Haiti and HSV-2 test performance in this population. Read More

J Cutan Med Surg 2017 Aug 1:1203475417728360. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

1 Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

Background: Congenital syphilis (CS) is an infectious disease resulting from transplacental transmission of Treponema pallidum spirochetes from an infected mother to fetus during pregnancy. While uncommon, CS has shown an increased incidence in Canada and the United States since 2001 and 2012, respectively.

Case Report: We present the case of a 5-week-old female infant with blistering rash on the palms and soles. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017 Jul 31. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

The number of new syphilis cases in Brazil has risen alarmingly in recent years. However, there is limited data regarding syphilis prevalence in the Brazilian prison population. To facilitate the development of effective interventions, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Treponema pallidum infection, active syphilis, and associated risk factors among Brazilian prisoners. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017 Jul 31. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

INSERM CIC1425, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique, Fort de France, France.

A syphilis outbreak began in Martinique, French Antilles, in 2004, initially among men who had sex with men (MSM) and who were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The outbreak subsequently affected all groups at risk, leading to a first epidemic peak in 2008. After an initial decrease, the outbreak started growing again in 2014 among patients living with HIV with unprecedented incidence among MSM. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2017 Jan 1:956462417726700. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

2 Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA.

In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) released clinical advisories on rising cases of ocular syphilis. We examined the association between eye disease and syphilis infection among primary care and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic patients attending an urban lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) health center. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients who underwent syphilis testing at Howard Brown Health between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2017 Jan 1:956462417726203. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

1 37868 Emilio Ribas Infectious Diseases Institute (IIER) , São Paulo, Brazil.

We are currently facing a worldwide epidemic of syphilis. Clinical manifestations that are rarely seen have been encountered, leading the dermatologist to confront unusual clinical conditions in daily practice. Erythema multiforme triggered by syphilis is very rare and is also seldom reported in the literature. Read More

Retin Cases Brief Rep 2017 Aug 14. Epub 2017 Aug 14.

*Department of Neurology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; †Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Departments of ‡Neurosurgery, and §Ophthalmology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Purpose: Report a case of concurrent unilateral optic neuritis and central retinal artery occlusion as the presenting signs of syphilis.

Methods: A case report of a 22-year-old man with progressive unilateral vision loss.

Results: With no known previous history of syphilis, genital lesions, or other extraocular manifestations, the patient presented with pain with eye movements and decreased color vision. Read More

Glob Pediatr Health 2017 12;4:2333794X17719361. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA.

Background. In all cases of suspected sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it has been routine practice to screen for syphilis with a blood sample. The incidence of syphilis seems to be lower than that of commonly screened STIs. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2017 Sep;44(9):533-538

From the *Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; †Departments of Research and Programs, ‡Department of Reproductive Health, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya; §Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nairobi; Nairobi, Kenya; ¶Departments of Medicine, ∥Global Health, **Biostatistics, and ††Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Background: Few men are tested for syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during their partner's pregnancy, a high-risk period for HIV and syphilis transmission. Offering home-based rapid testing of syphilis to couples during pregnancy can support prevention efforts to reduce transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: We assessed men's uptake of paired (separate tests, single blood draw) point-of-care syphilis and HIV tests within a randomized controlled trial of pregnant women who received clinic or home partner HIV testing. Read More

Am J Med 2017 Aug 11. Epub 2017 Aug 11.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Hospital Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA.

BMC Health Serv Res 2017 Aug 14;17(1):556. Epub 2017 Aug 14.

Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: The impact of untreated syphilis during pregnancy on neonatal health remains a major public health threat worldwide. Given the high prevalence of syphilis during pregnancy in Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Preventive Congenital Syphilis Trial (PCS Trial), a cluster randomized trial, was proposed to increase same-day screening and treatment of syphilis during antenatal care visits. To design an accepted and feasible intervention, we conducted a qualitative  formative research. Read More

Int J Paleopathol 2015 Dec 3;11:1-6. Epub 2015 Aug 3.

Departamento de Geografía e Historia, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

A left tibia, the distal right tibia, and the proximal four fifths of the right ulna and radius, probably belonging to an adult prehispanic man (antiquity of ≈1000 years BP) were found among commingled bone remains in a collective burial cave of the island of El Hierro, in the Canary Archipelago. All four bones show an intense periosteal bone formation, encrusting the preserved cortical bone of the diaphyses. Differential diagnosis include melorheostosis, syphilis, and leprosy, although the most likely diagnosis is hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, which is usually associated with lung neoplasm or non-malignant diseases leading to chronic hypoxemia. Read More

Nepal J Epidemiol 2016 Dec 31;6(4):620-630. Epub 2016 Dec 31.

Assistant Professor, Program in Research Methodology, Department of Computer Science and Mathematics Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand.

Background: Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are main drivers of the HIV epidemic in Nepal. The work environment of sex work in Nepal is differentiated into establishment based (e.g. Read More

Health Serv Res 2017 Aug 11. Epub 2017 Aug 11.

Rockefeller Institute of Government, Albany, NY.

Objective: To estimate the programmatic costs of partner services for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydial infection.

Study Setting: New York State and local health departments conducting partner services activities in 2014.

Study Design: A cost analysis estimated, from the state perspective, total program costs and cost per case assignment, patient interview, partner notification, and disease-specific key performance indicator. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2017 Aug 10. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

4​Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa 1​Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.

Purpose: We evaluated the Sekure rapid plasma reagin (RPR-S) (Sekisui Diagnostics) automated quantitative latex immunoturbidimetric assay performed on the SK500 clinical chemistry system for clinical appropriateness.

Methodology: Syphilis-infected individuals and controls were recruited into a prospective cohort study conducted at a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Antwerp, Belgium. Sera collected at diagnosis (baseline) and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-treatment were tested with RPR-S and Macro-Vue RPR card (RPR-C) (Becton Dickinson) assays; RPR-C was considered the reference test. Read More

J Med Virol 2017 Aug 9. Epub 2017 Aug 9.

Department of Laboratory Medicine/Clinical Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, No.37, Guo Xue Alley, Chengdu, P.R. China.

Background and Aims To investigate the epidemiological features and risk factors of HBV, HCV and syphilis infection among HIV-infected patients in West China Hospital. Methods A retrospective study was conducted with HIV-infected patients from 2014 to 2016 in West China hospital, SCU. Serum makers for HBV, HCV and syphilis were detected. Read More

PLoS One 2017 7;12(8):e0182768. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.

Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (T. pallidum), the causative agent of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis, is an uncultivatable human pathogen. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2017 Jul 22;5(4):551-553. Epub 2017 Jul 22.

Universitario di Ruolo, Dipartimento di Scienze Dermatologiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dermatology, Via Vittoria Colonna 11, Rome 00186, Italy.

Syphilis such as the other Sexually transmitted diseases are a cultural background of physician. The authors have presented this case of nodular secondary syphilis for three main reasons. The first one is that, in the last years, syphilis has re-emerged as the problem of public health. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2017 Jul 18;5(4):445-447. Epub 2017 Jul 18.

Univerisity G. Marconi of Rome, Dermatology and Venereology, Rome, Italy; Universitario di Ruolo, Dipartimento di Scienze Dermatologiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dermatology, Via Vittoria Colonna 11, Rome 00186, Italy.

In a recent past, the incidence of syphilis has increased in various geographical regions. The authors describe a case of secondary syphilis mimicking palmoplantar psoriasis. Read More

Case Rep Med 2017 12;2017:1980798. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Syphilis has been coined "the great imitator" due to its extreme heterogeneity of presentation and mimicry of other conditions. Therefore, it is essential that physicians be familiar with the full spectrum of its manifestations. Syphilis may also lead to oral lesions that, occasionally, are unaccompanied by concomitant tegumentary findings. Read More

BMJ 2017 Aug 7;358:j3633. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

Sexual Health Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017 Aug 3. Epub 2017 Aug 3.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) endorses this document.

In the United States, 1-2.5% of pregnant women are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which carries an approximately 5% risk of transmission from mother to infant. HCV can be transmitted to the infant in utero or during the peripartum period, and infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction and low birth weight. Read More

Ophthalmology 2017 Aug 2. Epub 2017 Aug 2.

Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France; Present address: Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital St. Louis, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Purpose: To identify predictors of treatment success in syphilitic uveitis (SU).

Design: Retrospective multicentric analysis of patients treated for SU.

Participants: A total of 95 eyes (66 patients, mean [standard deviation] aged 49 [12. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2017 Aug 4. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

International Diagnostics Centre, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

J Addict Med 2017 Aug 2. Epub 2017 Aug 2.

National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China (XW, ZW); Fengtai District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China (YL); Guangxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China (ZT); Independent Consultant, New York, NY (KHR); Nanning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China (QN).

Objective: This study aims to examine the role that nitrite inhalants play in HIV infection and risky sex behaviors among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: The study consisted of a baseline and a follow-up survey conducted in Beijing and Nanning, China. The baseline study recruited participants through online advertisements and peer referral to complete a questionnaire interview, oral rapid HIV test, and blood HIV and syphilis tests. Read More

Eye (Lond) 2017 Aug 4. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.

PurposeTo present the patient profiles, clinical presentations and visual outcomes in those diagnosed with ocular syphilis, attending a subspecialist uveitis service in northern England over a 15-year period.Patients and methodsRetrospective observational case series of patients presenting between January 2002 and December 2016.ResultsA total of 50 eyes of 34 patients had intraocular inflammation due to syphilis. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2017 Jan 1:956462417723545. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

1 Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue and omnipresent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of HIV acquisition. Moreover, STIs and HIV in pregnant women can harm the unborn child. In this study, we systematically investigated the prevalence of HIV, relevant STIs and vaginal group B streptococcus colonization among pregnant women presenting at Asella Teaching Hospital in central Ethiopia and their effect on perinatal mortality. Read More

Reumatologia 2017 18;55(3):151-153. Epub 2017 Jul 18.

Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Brazil.

The tertiary stage of syphilis is nowadays extremely rare, showing predilection for the cardiovascular and nervous systems. A 57-year-old Caucasian man sought medical assistance due to back pain that evolved to paraplegia of the lower limbs. A thoracic CT scan demonstrated an important aneurysmatic lesion of the descending thoracic aorta causing erosion of the vertebral bodies and VDRL and FTA-abs positivity. Read More

Intern Med 2017 1;56(15):2083. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Japan.

Intern Med 2017 1;56(15):2067-2072. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Department of Neurology, Osaka Red Cross Hospital, Japan.

The incidence of co-infection with Treponema pallidum and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing in developing and developed countries. The neurological complications of both infections occasionally occur simultaneously during a clinical course. We herein report the case of an HIV carrier with syphilitic meningomyelitis and subclinical optic neuropathy. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2017 Jan 1:956462417723816. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

John Hunter Clinic for Sexual Health, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.

Despite recent rises in the number of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and gonorrhoea in England and increasing rates of HIV diagnosis among several men who have sex with men populations, many individuals are still not engaging with sexual health services. The John Hunter Clinic for Sexual Health, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London set up outreach clinics at the two world's largest adult lifestyle exhibitions in 2013 and 2015. This was the first time that a sexual health screening and promotion service was available at these large-scale (over 10,000 attendees at each) adult lifestyle events. Read More

PLoS Med 2017 Aug 1;14(8):e1002363. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Public Health Foundation of India, Gurgaon, National Capital Region, India.

Background: India was estimated to have the largest numbers of stillbirths globally in 2015, and the Indian government has adopted a target of <10 stillbirths per 1,000 births by 2030 through the India Newborn Action Plan (INAP). The objective of this study was to use verbal autopsy interviews to examine factors associated with stillbirth in the Indian state of Bihar and make recommendations for the INAP to better inform the setting of priorities and actions to reduce stillbirths.

Methods And Findings: Verbal autopsy interviews were conducted for deaths including stillbirths that occurred from January 2011 to March 2014 in a sample of 109,689 households (87. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2017 Jul 26. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Atención Primaria, Área sanitaria VIII, Langreo, Asturias, España.

BMC Infect Dis 2017 Jul 28;17(1):525. Epub 2017 Jul 28.

University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kigali, Rwanda.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and share modes of transmission. These infections are generally more prevalent among female sex workers (FSWs).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among female sex workers (FSWs) in Rwanda in 2015. Read More

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017 Jul 26. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

1Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 2Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 3Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States experience an approximately 100-fold greater rate of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis diagnoses compared to men who have sex with women only. As in the general population, racial/ethnic disparities in P&S syphilis diagnosis rates may exist among MSM, but MSM-specific P&S syphilis rates by race/ethnicity are unavailable. We enhanced a published modeling approach to estimate area-level MSM populations by race/ethnicity and provide the first estimates of P&S syphilis among black and white non-Hispanic MSM. Read More

J Int AIDS Soc 2017 3;20(1):21372. Epub 2017 Apr 3.

SESH Research Team at the School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Guangzhou, China.

Introduction: HIV and syphilis testing rates remain low among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Community engagement has been increasingly used to promote HIV testing among key populations in high-income countries, often in settings with stronger civil society. This study aimed to assess socio-demographic, behavioural, and community engagement factors associated with HIV and syphilis testing among MSM in China. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2017 Jul 26. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis and HIV continue to be important yet preventable causes of perinatal and infant morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To systematically review, critically appraise and perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the operational characteristics of dual rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for HIV/syphilis and evaluate whether they are cost effective, acceptable and easy to use.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2017 Jul 26;17(1):520. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Division of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Neuchâtelois, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Background: Even though reported cases of syphilis have been increasing, cases of tertiary syphilis remain extremely rare. The majority of our knowledge with regard to complications of syphilis such as aortitis was acquired before the advent of relatively modern technologies such as CT, MRI and PET. This case report presents a rare case of syphilitic aortitis associated with a renal infarct caused by a peripheral arterial embolism diagnosed by CT. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2017 Jan 1:956462417721563. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

1 Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

The prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) has been reported to be three times higher in female sex workers (FSWs) in Callao, Peru than in the general population of women in Peru. Prevalence of HR-HPV among male clients has not yet been reported. A total of 150 men soliciting intercourse in sex work venues submitted questionnaires, samples for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and self-collected penile samples prior to and following intercourse for HPV genotyping. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 Jul 25;7(1):6428. Epub 2017 Jul 25.

Université Sorbonne Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, INSERM CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin U1016, Laboratoire de Dermatologie-CNR Syphilis, Paris, France.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a major skin-associated bacterium that was long considered commensal, until several studies revealed it to be an opportunistic pathogen. We investigated the ability of P. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 Jul 25;7(1):6464. Epub 2017 Jul 25.

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.

The number of reported early syphilis cases in San Francisco has increased steadily since 2005. It is not yet clear what factors are responsible for such an increase. A recent analysis of the sexual contact network of men who have sex with men with syphilis in San Francisco has discovered a large connected component, members of which have a significantly higher chance of syphilis and HIV compared to non-member individuals. Read More

Lancet Infect Dis 2017 Aug;17(8):804

National Center for STD Control, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, 210042, China. Electronic address:

Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2017 Jul 24. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Abt. für Infektionsepidemiologie, Robert Koch-Institut, Seestraße 10, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impair sexual health. Surveillance and study data were used to provide an overview over STIs in Germany. We estimated 3900 new HIV diagnoses in 2015. Read More

Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2017 Jul 24. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Department of Dermatovenereology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Hospital Bulovka, Budinova 2, 180 81, Prague 8, Czech Republic.

We are reporting the first case of lymphogranuloma venereum in women in East-Central Europe. A 22-year-old heterosexual woman attended our department of venereology. She complained about a burning sensation in the urethra and vaginal discharge. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2017 Jul 21. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Unidad de VIH y Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.

Introduction And Objetive: We describe a series of cases of syphilis with atypical extracutaneous clinical presentation diagnosed in HIV-infected patients.

Methods: Retrospective observational study. All cases of syphilis diagnosed in HIV-infected patients during the period between June 2013 and June 2016 in a tertiary hospital of the Barcelona metropolitan area were analysed. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2017 Jul 24;17(1):513. Epub 2017 Jul 24.

Department of Spine Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.

Background: The incidence of tertiary syphilis involvement in the spinal column with destructive bone lesions is very rare. It is difficult to establish the correct diagnosis from radiographs and histological examination alone. Limited data are available on surgical treatment to tertiary syphilitic spinal lesions. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2017 Jul;38(7):921-925

Tibet Autonomous Region Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Lhasa 850000, China.

Objective: To understand the prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis C and related behavioral factors in female sex workers (FSWs) and other 6 risk populations in Tibet Autonomous Region. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2 000 FSWs, 200 men who have sex with men (MSM), 200 drug users, 1 200 male migrants, 5 600 young students, as well as hospital patients and pregnant women in Lhasa, Qamdo, Nyingchi, Xigaze Shannan, Ali and Nagqum from June to December 2015. Face to face interviews were conducted to collect their demographic and behavioral information, and blood samples were collected for the tests of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. Read More

Int J Health Serv 2017 Jan 1:20731417722088. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

4 Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The study aimed to assess conformity with Brazil's standard protocol for diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the management of congenital syphilis by pediatricians in public maternity hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 with 41 pediatricians working in all the public maternity hospitals in Teresina, the capital of Piauí State, Northeast Brazil, through self-completed questionnaires. The study assessed the conformity of knowledge and practices according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health protocols. Read More

PLoS One 2017 21;12(7):e0181267. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background & Aims: Elimination of HIV and syphilis mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) has received much attention but little consideration has been given to the possibility of elimination of HBV MTCT. In sub-Saharan Africa, HBV vertical transmission continues to be reported and it remains an important public health problem. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of screening pregnant women for HBV using a point-of-care (POC) test and implementing interventions to prevent HBV MTCT. Read More