Comment

Avoiding HIV and dying of syphilis

WHO estimated that nearly 1 million people become infected every day with any of four curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Despite their high global incidence, STIs remain a neglected area of research. In this Commission, we have prioritised five areas that represent particular challenges in STI treatment and control. Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI in high-income countries despite widespread testing recommendations, sensitive and specific non-invasive testing techniques, and cheap effective therapy. We discuss the challenges for chlamydia control and evidence to support a shift from the current focus on infection-based screening to improved management of diagnosed cases and of chlamydial morbidity, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is globally recognised. We review current and potential future control and treatment strategies, with a focus on novel antimicrobials. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal disorder in women, but current treatments are associated with frequent recurrence. Recurrence after treatment might relate to evidence that suggests sexual transmission is integral to the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis, which has substantial implications for the development of effective management approaches. STIs disproportionately affect low-income and middle-income countries. We review strategies for case management, focusing on point-of-care tests that hold considerable potential for improving STI control. Lastly, STIs in men who have sex with men have increased since the late 1990s. We discuss the contribution of new biomedical HIV prevention strategies and risk compensation. Overall, this Commission aims to enhance the understanding of some of the key challenges facing the field of STIs, and outlines new approaches to improve the clinical management of STIs and public health.

To assess the operational integration of maternal HIV testing and syphilis screening in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Interviews were conducted with 76 health workers (HW) from three antenatal clinics (ANC) and three maternity wards in 2008–2009 and 1137 consecutive women admitted for delivery. Nine ANC health education sessions and client flow observations were observed.

Only 25.0% of HWs reported they had received training in both prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and syphilis screening. HIV and syphilis tests were sometimes performed in different rooms and results recorded in separate registers with different formats and the results were not always given by the same person. At delivery, most women had been tested for both HIV (79.4%) and syphilis (88.1%) during pregnancy. Of those not tested antenatally for each infection, 70.1% were tested for HIV at delivery but none for syphilis.

Integration of maternal HIV and syphilis screening was limited. Integrated care guidelines and related health worker training should address this gap.

To asses laboratory syphilis testing policies and practices among laboratories in the Americas.

Laboratory directors or designees from PAHO member countries were invited to participate in a structured, electronically-delivered survey between March and August, 2014. Data on syphilis tests, algorithms, and quality control (QC) practices were analyzed, focusing on laboratories receiving specimens from antenatal clinics (ANCs).

Surveys were completed by 69 laboratories representing 30 (86%) countries. Participating laboratories included 36 (52%) national or regional reference labs and 33 (48%) lower-level laboratories. Most (94%) were public sector facilities and 71% reported existence of a national algorithm for syphilis testing in pregnancy, usually involving both treponemal and non-treponemal testing (72%). Less than half (41%) used rapid syphilis tests (RSTs); and only seven laboratories representing five countries reported RSTs were included in the national algorithm for pregnant women. Most (83%) laboratories serving ANCs reported using some type of QC system; 68% of laboratories reported participation in external QC. Only 36% of laboratories reported data to national/local surveillance. Half of all laboratories serving ANC settings reported a stockout of one or more essential supplies during the previous year (median duration, 30 days).

Updating laboratory algorithms, improving testing standards, integrating data into existing surveillance, and improved procurement and distribution of commodities may be needed to ensure elimination of MTCT of syphilis in the Americas.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause an enormous burden of disease, especially among poor people, women and children. Those caused by bacteria and protozoa can be cured, often with single-dose treatment, whereas the viral infections, genital herpes and HIV, are lifelong, incurable infections. Other STIs, especially those which cause genital ulceration, facilitate the sexual transmission of HIV. Since a high proportion of STIs are asymptomatic, especially in women, their control depends on screening and treatment of populations at risk, as well as the provision of effective treatment for those with symptoms. Syndromic treatment for those with symptoms is recommended where laboratory testing is not feasible or may lead to a delay in treatment. Simple point-of-care (POC) screening tests are available for HIV, syphilis and Trichomonas vaginalis, but currently available POC tests for Chlamydia trachomatis are less sensitive than laboratory-based tests. Treatment of sexual partners is another cornerstone of STI control.

The occurrence of syphilis and HIV-1 infections during pregnancy are major risks to the fetus due to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).

To determine peripartum seroprevalence and risk factors of syphilis and HIV-1 infection among pregnant women in Salvador, Brazil, and the rate of HIV-1 MTCT.

Cross-sectional study of pregnant women who were admitted for delivery in a reference maternity hospital between May 2008 and March 2009 was conducted. Women were screened for HIV-1 infection and syphilis, and interviewed regarding demographic, behavioral and obstetric data. Newborns to HIV-infected mothers were tested by b-DNA and DNA-PCR to detect HIV-1.

A total 3300/8516 women were evaluated. Mean age was 25.8 ± 7.3 years. HIV-1 and syphilis seroprevalence rates were 0.84% (28/3300) and 0.51% (17/3300), respectively. HIV-1 infection was associated with: low education (p = 0.04), having a partner with known HIV infection (p < 0.0001) or with previous sexually transmitted infection (p < 0.0001), blood transfusion (p = 0.003), or accidental exposure to blood (p = 0.003). Syphilis was associated with being Caucasian (p = 0.02), having no steady partner (p = 0.02), being a housewife (p = 0.01), having an intravenous drug user (IVDU) sexual partner (p = 0.04) or a sexual partner with previous STI (p < 0.001). Higher education (p = 0.04) was protective against HIV-infection. Attending a prenatal care program was protective against syphilis (p = 0.008) and HIV-1 (p = 0.02). No case of HIV-1 MTCT was detected, but 25% of children born to HIV-infected mothers were lost to follow up.

In Salvador, peripartum prevalence of syphilis and HIV-1 infection among pregnant women were low, and associated with classic risk factors for both infections. The great proportion of very late diagnosis of HIV infection, and the high rate of loss of follow-up among positive mothers and their infants are of high concern.