Outbreak of syphilis, but not of acute hepatitis C, among HIV-infected homosexual men in Madrid.
BACKGROUND
Clustered cases of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, frequently accompanied by sexually transmitted diseases, have recently been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) in several European cities.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective record of cases of syphilis in a large cohort of HIV-infected individuals on regular follow-up in Madrid, Spain. HCV testing was carried out in all of them.


RESULTS
A total of 53 diagnosis of syphilis were made during the previous 4 years (2002 to 2005) in 729 HIV-infected MSM on regular follow-up. However, in only 2 of them (3.7%) asymptomatic HCV seroconversion occurred at the time of the syphilis episode. Both patients developed chronic hepatitis C.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute HCV infection should periodically be ruled out in all HIV-infected MSM engaged in sexual risky behaviors presenting with syphilis.
Ruiz-Sancho
Andrés
A
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Barreiro
Pablo
P
Castellares
Carol
C
Labarga
Pablo
P
Ramos
Belen
B
Garcia-Samaniego
Javier
J
Gutiérrez
Mayte
M
Soriano
Vincent
V
D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D047568:Unsafe Sex
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral