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Volume 29, Number 10—October 2023
Research

Treponema pallidum Detection at Asymptomatic Oral, Anal, and Vaginal Sites in Adults Reporting Sexual Contact with Persons with Syphilis

Ei T. AungComments to Author , Christopher K. Fairley, Deborah A. Williamson, Francesca Azzato, Janet M. Towns, Rebecca Wigan, Eric P.F. Chow1, and Marcus Y. Chen1
Author affiliations: Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (E.T. Aung, C.K. Fairley, J.M. Towns, R. Wigan, E.P.F. Chow, M.Y. Chen); Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne (E.T. Aung, C.K. Fairley, J.M. Towns, E.P.F. Chow, M.Y. Chen); The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne (D.A. Williamson); Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne (D.A. Williamson, F. Azzato); Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne (E.P.F. Chow)

Main Article

Table 1

Possible syphilis symptoms described by 69 patients in retrospective study of men and women who visited the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, during November 2018–March 2020*

Symptom No. patients
Oral symptoms, n = 15
Oral ulcers: mouth ulcers, gum ulcers, tongue ulcers† 11
Lip sores or ulcers
 4
Anal symptoms, n = 18
Anal or perianal ulcers/blisters/lesions, painful and painless 7
Anal lump 2
Anal or perianal rash, red rash 1
Anal pain: severe, discomfort, associated with mucous discharge 5
Tenesmus 2
Anal itch†
 1
Penile or genital symptoms, n = 17
Penile lesions/sores on glans penis, foreskin 8
Penile rash, including red spots, pimple-like 5
Penis lump 2
Scrotal lump and rash, flaky skin†
 2
Nonorogenital symptoms, n = 18
Body rash: torso, back, flank, palms, soles‡ 12
Rash/sores on shin, leg, thigh 4
Lump on eyelid, conjunctivitis
 2
Systemic symptoms, n = 21
Headache 3
Fever, including night sweats, chills 6
Fatigue/lethargy 2
Influenza-like symptoms, unwell, sore throat 5
Blurred vision 2
Tinnitus 1
Swollen lymph nodes: groin, submental 2

*Some participants presented with >1 symptom, and therefore, the total would not add up to 69. †The participant had tongue ulcer, flaky skin on scrotum and itchy anus with PCR positive test results from tongue, scrotum, and anus. ‡Some descriptions include spots, itchy papules, and red patches.

Main Article

1These senior authors contributed equally to this article.

Page created: August 31, 2023
Page updated: September 20, 2023
Page reviewed: September 20, 2023
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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