Syphilis case numbers nearly unchanged from 2009 to 2010

Total syphilis cases, including primary and secondary syphilis, reported to public health officials were nearly unchanged from 2009 to 2010. This report provides information on the groups most at risk. Locally, co-infection with HIV appears to be common among those diagnosed.

T. pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis (CDC/Bill Schwartz: public domain image)

Today, public health officials released the "2010 Syphilis Surveillance Report" for Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Total syphilis case counts were nearly unchanged for both Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, but one case of congenital syphilis was reported in 2010, where an infant was infected by an untreated mother who did not seek prenatal care. Congenital syphilis can cause blindness, brain disorders and mental deficiencies, even death in infected infants. Congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.

Officials identified two populations at greatest risk of syphilis transmission:

• Men who have sex with men (MSM) and bisexual males. Nearly half of these males were HIV positive.
• Males and females reporting heterosexual sex as their primary risk factor.

Public health officials noted concern over a 253% increase in the number of black/African American young males age 13 to 34 years diagnosed with syphilis from 2009 to 2010. Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates have historically been highest among African American youth and young adults age 13 to 34, so the risk of spreading syphilis is a real one.

The report, available at this link, includes descriptions of symptoms and signs, and a page directed at the medical community to continue aggressive screening for syphilis to those who are sexually active and present with symptoms, risk factors or risky behavior associated with incidence of syphilis. Additional information on syphilis can be found at this CDC website in English or in Spanish.