Increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections in Geneva, Switzerland.
BACKGROUND
Focal outbreaks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis and gonorrhoea have been reported in the large cities of Western Europe over the past few years. The aim of our study was to determine whether a similar trend is observed in Geneva and the situation with regard to HIV infection.


METHODS
We review the incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia trachomatis and HIV in Geneva from 1999 to 2004.


RESULTS
Figures indicate a steady and sustained increase in the incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis in Geneva since 1999 that is maintained into 2004. As for HIV, the number of positive testings in Switzerland has stabilised and primary infection figures do not indicate an increase in newly acquired infections in Geneva.


CONCLUSIONS
The situation in Geneva is similar to that observed elsewhere in Western Europe and indicates the need of public health interventions.
Abraham
Shahnaz
S
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Toutous-Trellu
Laurence
L
Pechère
Marc
M
Hugonnet
Stéphane
S
Liassine
Nadia
N
Yerly
Sabine
S
Rohner
Peter
P
Ninet
Béatrice
B
Hirschel
Bernard
B
Piguet
Vincent
V
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology