Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Wall Street Journal - November 21, 2003
Marilyn Chase and Betsy Mckay, Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal
Syphilis cases among men rose more than 27%, with the largest increase -- more than 85% -- seen in white men. Cases rose more than 35% in Latino men, and declined 2.6% in African-American men.
Still, the highest rates of the disease remain among African-American men -- 13.5 per 100,000 population -- compared with 4.5 among Latino men and 2.2 among non-Hispanic whites.
Female case reports were a bright spot: Syphilis cases declined 19% among women overall, and almost 22% among African-American women.
The syphilis surge among American males is believed to stem largely from the rise in unprotected sex among gay and bisexual men, the CDC said. The agency doesn't collect data by sexual orientation, but said its researchers estimated 40% of syphilis cases in 2002 occurred among men who have sex with men.
Ronald O. Valdiserri, deputy director of the CDC's HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and TB prevention center, said a battle is now being waged on two fronts: sustaining reductions in syphilis among women and African-Americans, while "combating new challenges among gay and bisexual men."
John Douglas, director of the CDC's sexually transmitted disease prevention programs, cited relaxation of safe sexual behavior owing to the widespread belief that HIV is under control. Substance abuse, depression and other factors may play a role, he said.
In San Francisco, city health officers have conducted an information campaign for two years on the Web and in bus shelters, advertising syphilis testing and treatment services.
"We saw this coming," said Steve Gibson, who manages the Magnet, a gay men's health clinic in the city's Castro District.
Officials worry that the increase portends a resurgence of HIV infection; studies have shown that syphilis can facilitate HIV transmission.
Write to Marilyn Chase at marilyn.chase@wsj.com and Betsy McKay at betsy.mckay@wsj.com
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