title: Increase in incidence of infectious syphilis in Auckland, New Zealand: results from an enhanced surveillance survey.
abstract: We instigated an enhanced voluntary surveillance system to determine the epidemiology of infectious syphilis in Auckland because it is not a notifiable condition. The study took place over a 12-month period from July 2006 to July 2007. We identified 92 cases of infectious syphilis, of which 71 were male (77%). Forty-four (48%) cases were in men who have sex with men, who made up the biggest proportion. Forty-eight cases (52%) acquired their infection in New Zealand and only 48 of all identified cases were symptomatic (52%). Our results confirm that infectious syphilis incidence is currently under-reported.
authors.affiliation: Auckland Sexual Health Service, Building 7, Private Bag 92024, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. SunitaA@adhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azariah
authors.forename: Nicky
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Arthur J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data