Syphilis

Faculty

Edward W. Hook, III, MD
Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Epidemiology
Division of Infectious Diseases
Department of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Needs Statement

STDs are common, costly, and preventable. Worldwide, an estimated 333 million cases of curable STDs occur annually. In 1995, STDs were the most common reportable diseases in the United States. They accounted for 87 percent of the top 10 infections most frequently reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from State health departments. Of the top 10 infections, 5 were STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis B). Each year an estimated 15 million new STD infections occur in the United States, and nearly 4 million teenagers are infected with an STD. The direct and indirect costs of the major STDs and their complications, including sexually transmitted HIV infection, are conservatively estimated at $17 billion annually.

Despite recent progress toward controlling some STDs, when compared to other industrialized nations, the United States has failed to go far enough or fast enough in its national attempt to contain acute STDs and STD-related complications. STD rates in this Nation exceed those in all other countries of the industrialized world (including the countries of western and northern Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia). Through a sustained, collaborative, multifaceted approach, other countries have reduced significantly the burden of STDs on their citizens, an accomplishment the United States also should strive to achieve.

The distribution and trends of syphilis are influenced by biological factors, sexual behaviors, biomedical technology, availability of and access to health care, public health efforts, changes in population dynamics and sociocultural factors.  Syphilis remains an important problem in the South and, increasingly, in urban areas of the country that have large populations of men who have sex with men (MSM).  Recent outbreaks of syphilis in subpopulations of MSM have also been characterized by high rates of HIV co-infection and high-risk sexual behavior.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases.

Objectives

1. Describe the epidemiology of syphilis in the U.S.;
2. Describe the pathogenesis of T. pallidum;
3. Discuss the clinical manifestations of syphilis;
4. Identify the common laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of syphilis;
5. List the CDC-recommended treatment regimens for syphilis;
6. Describe public health measures for the prevention of syphilis.

Accreditation

Medicine
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and The Alabama/North Carolina STD Prevention and Training Center. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Hook is on the paid speaker's bureau for Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, receives contract research support from Becton Dickinson and GlaxoSmithKline and receives consultation fees from Abbott Laboratories.

Activity Sponsorship