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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 4

Characteristics of 21 syphilis patients with positive serologic tests in the absence of PCR detection from mucosal sites or lesion sites in retrospective study of patients who visited the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, during November 2018–March 2020*

Group by sexual practice HIV/PrEP status Signs and symptoms of syphilis Current RPR titer Previous syphilis serologic test Previous serologic test result (RPR titer if reactive) Staging of syphilis
MSM Neg No 1:4 8 mo Nonreactive Early latent
MSM† PrEP No Nonreactive 18 mo Nonreactive Early latent
MSM PrEP No Nonreactive 10 mo Negative Early latent
MSM PrEP Not examined Nonreactive 3 mo Negative Early latent
MSM Neg No 1:16 5 mo Nonreactive Early latent
MSM HIV No Nonreactive 6 mo Negative Early latent
MSM PrEP No 1:128 4 mo Negative Early latent
MSM Neg No 1:32 12 mo Negative Early latent
MSM Neg Not examined 1:64 4 mo Negative Early latent
MSM HIV Not examined 1:64 1 mo Negative Early latent
MSM PrEP Not examined 1:4 8 mo 1:1 Early latent
Heterosexual man Neg Not examined 1:8 8 mo Negative Early latent
Bisexual man Neg Macular rash on palms 1:32 None None Secondary
MSM Neg Rash/papules on penis, maculopapular rash on hands and back 1:32 14 mo Nonreactive Secondary
MSM PrEP Not examined Nonreactive 11 mo Negative Early latent
MSM§ Neg Blurred vision and headache, Resolved body rash before presentation 1:64 19 mo Negative Secondary/neurosyphilis
MSM HIV Not examined 1:4 3 mo Nonreactive Early latent
MSM PrEP No Nonreactive 6 mo Negative Early latent
MSM‡ Neg No 1:2 None None Late latent
MSM PrEP Not examined Nonreactive 1 mo Negative Early latent
MSM HIV Not examined 1:32 2 mo Nonreactive Early latent

*MSM, men who have sex with men; neg, HIV negative and not taking PrEP; nonreactive, nonreactive RPR; PrEP, preexposure prophylaxis for HIV; RPR, rapid plasma reagin. †IgM was reactive on serologic test. ‡Treated for late latent syphilis. §Subsequently had neurosyphilis diagnosed.

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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