Data from: Syphilis infection among homosexual men reporting contact with syphilis: a case control study

OBJECTIVE: High rates of syphilis have been reported among men who have
sex with men (MSM) internationally. Guidelines recommend presumptive
treatment of sexual contacts of individuals with syphilis at the point of
care. The aim of this study was to determine among men reporting contact
with a man with syphilis the proportion who were infected with syphilis
and the factors predictive of infection. DESIGN: Contacts who were
syphilis infected (cases) were compared with those who were uninfected
(controls). SETTING: This study was conducted at the main public sexually
transmitted diseases clinic in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: One
hundred and seventy two MSM presenting as sexual contacts of men with
syphilis at a sexual health service in Melbourne, Australia, between July
2007 and October 2011 were assessed for syphilis. OUTCOME MEASURES:
Proportion of MSM who are infected with syphilis and factors associated
with infection. RESULTS: Of 172 men who presented reporting contact with
syphilis, 26 (15%, 95% CI: 10-20%) had syphilis. One man had primary
syphilis, four had secondary syphilis, while the remaining 21 had early
latent syphilis. Infection was associated with unprotected anal sex over
the prior 3 months (adjusted odds ratio 6.1, 95% CI 1.4-26.8). CONCLUSION:
One in seven men presenting as contacts of syphilis had syphilis
infection, most of whom were latently infected. Contacts reporting recent
unprotected anal sex were more likely to have syphilis.