scholarly journals A 2021 Update on Syphilis: Taking Stock from Pathogenesis to Vaccines

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1364
Author(s):  
Giorgio Tiecco ◽  
Melania Degli Antoni ◽  
Samuele Storti ◽  
Valentina Marchese ◽  
Emanuele Focà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Clinical Manifestation ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

In 2021 the scientific community's efforts have been focused on solving the back-breaking challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, but sexually transmitted infections (STI) are still one of the most common global health problems. Syphilis is a systemic disease caused by the spirochaete Treponema pallidum (TP) and is one of the oldest known diseases. Its incidence has increased in the last few years and syphilis still remains a contemporary plague that continues to afflict millions of people worldwide. Despite research improvements, syphilis pathogenesis is not completely clear; clinical presentation is very heterogeneous and the diagnosis can sometimes be difficult. Furthermore, few therapeutic options are available, and a vaccine has not been found yet. In this review, we describe the most recent evidence concerning the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and vaccine prospectives for this disease.

scholarly journals World Health Organization Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections: An Evidence-to-Action Brief for Colombia

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Taylor ◽  
Monica Alonso-González ◽  
Bertha Gómez ◽  
Eline Korenromp ◽  
Nathalie Broutet
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoea ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Infecciones De Transmisión Sexual

En el mundo, cientos de millones de personas adquieren anualmente infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), algunas de ellas curables y otras incurables. Las ITS que no se diagnostican y no se tratan producen una serie de desenlaces negativos para la salud, entre los cuales se cuentan resultados adversos al nacimiento, infertilidad y otras secuelas crónicas, además del cáncer de cuello uterino. En 2016, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) lanzó la Estrategia Mundial contras las ITS (2016-2021). El enfoque de salud pública contemplado en la Estrategia Global de la OMS se centra en tres microorganismos causantes de las ITS que requieren acciones inmediatas y para los cuales existen intervenciones costo-efectivas: (a) Neisseria gonorrhoea como causa de infertilidad y factor de riesgo para coinfección con otras ITS, y por su mayor resistencia al tratamiento con antibióticos; (b) Treponema pallidum por la contribución de la sífilis a resultados adversos al nacimiento, entre ellos muerte fetal y muerte neonatal; y (c) virus del papiloma humano debido a su relación con el cáncer de cuello uterino. Entre las acciones recomendadas para los países están las siguientes: (a) fortalecer la vigilancia, el monitoreo y la evaluación de los programas y los avances logrados; (b) prevención de las ITS; (c) diagnóstico temprano de las ITS; (d) manejo del paciente y la pareja; (e) mecanismos para llegar a las poblaciones más vulnerables. Esta síntesis de la política resume la Estrategia Mundial de la OMS contra las ITS, además de los hallazgos de un taller de vigilancia de estas infecciones realizado en mayo de 2017. Aquí se describen las observaciones relacionadas con la Estrategia, y los hallazgos del taller a fin de que los distintos actores los tomen en consideración a la hora de identificar las oportunidades de mejorar los servicios y la vigilancia en lo que atañe a las ITS.

scholarly journals Low prevalence of HIV and other selected sexually transmitted infections in 2004 in pregnant women from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2007 ◽  
Vol 136 (9) ◽  
pp. 1290-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. KINOSHITA-MOLEKA ◽  
J. S. SMITH ◽  
J. ATIBU ◽  
A. TSHEFU ◽  
J. HEMINGWAY-FODAY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Syphilis Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Low Prevalence

SUMMARYThis study examined the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnant women in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Between April and July 2004, antenatal attendees at two of the largest maternity clinics in Kinshasa were tested to identify HIV status, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). HIV seroprevalence was 1·9% in 2082 women. With PCR techniques, CT and NG infections were also uncommon in the first 529 women (1·7% and 0·4%, respectively). No active syphilis infection case was identified by Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and rapid plasma reagin test (RPR). A woman's risk of HIV infection was significantly associated with her reporting a male partner having had other female sexual partners (OR 2·7, 95% CI 1·2–6·2). The continuing low seroprevalence of HIV in pregnant women from Kinshasa was confirmed. Understanding factors associated with this phenomenon could help prevent a future HIV epidemic in low HIV transmission areas in Africa.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial resistance in sexually transmitted infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Tien ◽  
Chitra Punjabi ◽  
Marisa K Holubar
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
World Health ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The World

Abstract Rationale for review International travel facilitates the spread of drug-resistant infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In 2016, the World Health Organization highlighted the global burden of ‘curable’ STIs, estimating 376 million new infections of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and trichomoniasis annually, with considerable geographic variation in both the burden of disease and prevalence of resistance. Travelers’ risk of contracting and transmitting drug-resistant STIs depends in part on their geographic exposure. In this review, we describe the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the management of these four common STIs and Mycoplasma genitalium, an increasingly recognized cause of non-gonococcal urethritis. Key findings Multi-drug and extensively drug resistant gonorrhoea strains have been associated with international spread, particularly in travelers returning from Southeast Asia. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI worldwide. Although in vitro resistance has been reported, surveillance data suggest that clinically significant resistance to macrolides and tetracyclines is rare. Macrolide resistance in syphilis is now endemic in much of the world but there is no documented penicillin resistance, which remains first-line therapy. Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral STI worldwide. Although clinical failure after treatment occurs, resistance to metronidazole is thought to be uncommon. Mycoplasma genitalium exhibits intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics, and the prevalence of resistance to both first- and second-line regimens (macrolides and fluoroquinolones) is increasing worldwide, with limited alternative therapeutic options. Recommendations International travelers are at risk for acquiring resistant STIs with limited therapeutic options. Improved diagnostics are urgently needed to improve AMR surveillance and the management of infected patients. As no vaccinations are currently available for these STIs, and pre-exposure prophylaxis is an area of active study with limited data, condom use is critical for prevention. Travel medicine providers should incorporate STI risk reduction counselling, with an emphasis on condom use, into the routine pre-travel consultation.

HIV infection and asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections in a rural South African community

1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 548-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Colvin ◽  
S S Abdool Karim ◽  
C Connolly ◽  
A A Hoosen ◽  
N Ntuli
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
South African ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Community ◽  
Partner Concurrency

The objective was to determine the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections STIs in a rural community. A population based survey of adults in 110 homesteads was conducted in 1995. A questionnaire on demographics, sexual practices and history of STDs was administered. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections were detected using ligase chain reaction LCR assay of urine. The seroprevalence of syphilis rapid plasma reagin RPR and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay TPHA and HIV infection ELISA was determined. Among 259 subjects the prevalence of HIV was 10.5 , N. gonorrhoeae 4.5 , C. trachomatis 6.1 and active syphilis 8.8 . All infections were asymptomatic. Forty per cent of sexually active men had more than one concurrent sexual partner. Only 14 of subjects had ever used condoms. The STI epidemic is being promoted by high levels of asymptomatic infections, high partner concurrency and low condom use.

scholarly journals A Survey of Preclinical Studies Evaluating Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines Against Non-Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abisola Abisoye-Ogunniyan ◽  
Isabella M. Carrano ◽  
Dina R. Weilhammer ◽  
Sean F. Gilmore ◽  
Nicholas O. Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Health Burden ◽  
Daunting Task ◽  
Therapeutic Measures

A worldwide estimate of over one million STIs are acquired daily and there is a desperate need for effective preventive as well as therapeutic measures to curtail this global health burden. Vaccines have been the most effective means for the control and potential eradication of infectious diseases; however, the development of vaccines against STIs has been a daunting task requiring extensive research for the development of safe and efficacious formulations. Nanoparticle-based vaccines represent a promising platform as they offer benefits such as targeted antigen presentation and delivery, co-localized antigen-adjuvant combinations for enhanced immunogenicity, and can be designed to be biologically inert. Here we discuss promising types of nanoparticles along with outcomes from nanoparticle-based vaccine preclinical studies against non-viral STIs including chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and recommendations for future nanoparticle-based vaccines against STIs.

scholarly journals Sexually Transmitted Infections in Women Participating in a Biomedical Intervention Trial in Durban: Prevalence, Coinfections, and Risk Factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathlee Samantha Abbai ◽  
Handan Wand ◽  
Gita Ramjee
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sti Prevention ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Biomedical Intervention

Background. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a significant public health problem especially among women of reproductive age in Africa. Methods. A total of 2236 women that had enrolled in the MDP301 vaginal microbicide trial were tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), Treponema pallidum, and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Results. CT was identified as the most prevalent STI (11%) followed by TV (10%), NG, and Syphilis (3%). The highest prevalence of coinfection was reported between T. pallidum and TV (19.67%, P=0.004), followed by CT and TV (13.52%, P≤0.001). Risk factors that were significantly associated with STI acquisition were women of 23 years of age or younger (HR: 1.50, 95% CI 1.17, 1.93), baseline STI with CT (HR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.32, 2.35), TV (HR: 1.58, 95% CI, 1.20, 2.10), and T. pallidum (HR: 5.13, 95% CI 3.65, 7.22), and a low education level (HR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.02, 1.66). Conclusion. Young women with lower education and a history of STIs are at high risk of multiple STIs. Prevention programs should consider target approach to STI prevention among young women. This trial is registered with ISRCTN64716212.

scholarly journals Peculiar clinical presentation of primary syphilis in the oral cavity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Da Rocha Tenório ◽  
Letícia Drumond de Abreu Guimarães ◽  
Bruno Fernandes Matuck ◽  
Thalita Santana Conceição ◽  
Matheus Sampaio de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Oral Manifestation ◽  
Primary Syphilis

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, has increased in incidence over the years, especially among the adult popu­lation. The oral manifestation of primary syphilis is usually characterized by a clinical course variable in which it pro­gresses to the next stages if not treated. In this report, we present two cases of oral manifestation of primary syphilitic lesion with peculiar clinical characteristics, and we emphasize the importance of a correct diagnosis. Biopsies were needed for differential diagnosis and serological exams were requested. The histopathological analysis suggested the diagnosis and the immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of Treponema pallidum. Antibiotic therapy was ini­tiated with complete remission of the lesion. Therefore, a thorough anamnesis and a thorough clinical examination are essential for establishing the correct diagnosis, to begin the treatment of syphilis as soon as possible, thus avoiding the disease’s progression.

scholarly journals Relapsing Polychondritis: An Updated Review

Biomedicines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Borgia ◽  
Roberta Giuffrida ◽  
Fabrizio Guarneri ◽  
Serafinella Cannavò
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Relapsing Polychondritis ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Specific Symptoms

Relapsing polychondritis is an immune-mediated systemic disease characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation of cartilaginous and proteoglycan-rich tissues, resulting in progressive anatomical deformation and functional impairment of the involved structures. Auricular and nasal chondritis and/or polyarthritis represent the most common clinical features, but potentially all types of cartilage may be involved. Because of the pleomorphic nature of the disease, with non-specific symptoms at the onset, the diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis is often delayed. In this review article we provide a comprehensive look into clinical presentation, laboratory and instrumental investigations, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic options.

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