Increase in congenital syphilis cases and challenges in prevention in Japan, 2016–2017
Mizue Kanai A , Yuzo Arima
B F , Tomoe Shimada B , Narumi Hori C , Takuya Yamagishi B , Tomimasa Sunagawa B , Yuki Tada D , Takuri Takahashi B , Makoto Ohnishi D , Tamano Matsui B and Kazunori Oishi B
A Field Epidemiology Training Program, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
B Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
C Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan.
D Travellers’ Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.
E Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
F Corresponding author. Email: arima@niid.go.jp
Sexual Health 18(2) 197-199 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH21004
Submitted: 4 January 2021 Accepted: 13 January 2021 Published: 22 April 2021
Abstract
In Japan, the increase in congenital syphilis (CS) notifications has become a public health concern. We conducted a case series study to describe the characteristics of CS patients and their mothers. Of the 13 mothers who consented to participate, seven had regular prenatal care visits, including four who had tested negative at their first trimester syphilis screening. Only three mothers noted that their partners were tested, with all three partners being diagnosed with syphilis. Raising awareness for syphilis prevention during pregnancy, partner testing, and considering additional syphilis testing at the third trimester of pregnancy during times of increased syphilis prevalence is imperative.
Keywords: Asia, Japan, social determinants, surveillance, syphilis, women, partner testing, pregnancy, syphilis screening.
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