The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Editorial

The Prozone Phenomenon in Syphilis Testing

Authors: William M. Geisler, MD, MPH

Abstract

Syphilis, a genital ulcerative disease, remains an important public health concern in the United States. In addition to facilitating the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), untreated syphilis may progress to cause neurologic, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal complications and in pregnancy may lead to serious complications including stillbirth, neonatal death, prematurity, or congenital syphilis syndromes. The overall rate of primary and secondary syphilis reported in the United States declined during the 1990s and in 2000; however, the rates of primary and secondary syphilis in men began increasing in 2000, leading to an overall rate increase in 2001. 1 This resurgence in early syphilis was associated with outbreaks in men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly those who were HIV-infected and/or practicing high-risk sexual behavior. 1 The South continues to have a higher rate of primary and secondary syphilis than other regions of the country, with 56% of reported cases occurring in this region in 2001. 1


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References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of STD Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2001 Supplement: Syphilis Surveillance Report. Atlanta, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Feb 2003. Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis2001/2001SyphSuppText.pdf. Accessed August 12, 2003.

 

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