High rates of syphilis among STI patients are contributing to the spread of HIV-1 in India

Post Date: 
2006-04-15
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Countries: 
Publication: 
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Summary: 
Background: Recent syphilis outbreaks have raised concern regarding the potential enhancement of HIV transmission. The incidence of syphilis and its association with HIV‐1 infection rates among a cohort of sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic attendees was investigated.
 
Methods: 2732 HIV‐1 seronegative patients attending three STI and one gynaecology clinic, were enrolled from 1993–2000 in an ongoing prospective cohort study of acute HIV‐1 infection in Pune, India. At screening and quarterly follow up visits, participants underwent HIV‐1 risk reduction counselling, risk behaviour assessment and HIV/STI screening that included testing for serological evidence of syphilis by RPR with TPHA confirmation. Patients with genital ulcers were screened with dark field microscopy.
Citation: 
Reynolds SJ, Risbud AR, Shepherd ME, Rampalo AM, Ghate MV, Godbole SV, Joshi SN, Divekar AD, Gangakhedkar RR, Bollinger RC, Mehendale SM. High rates of syphilis among STI patients are contributing to the spread of HIV-1 in India. Sex Transm Dis. 2006 Apr; 82(2):121-126. PMCID: PMC2564682. doi: 10.1136/sti.2005.015040.
Collaborators: 
  • NIH/NIAID, Bethesda, MD
  • National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India