Increase in incidence of infectious syphilis in Auckland, New Zealand: results from an enhanced surveillance survey

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doi:10.1071/SH08015

Increase in incidence of infectious syphilis in Auckland, New Zealand: results from an enhanced surveillance survey

Sunita Azariah ^A ^D, Nicky Perkins ^A, Paul Austin ^B, Arthur J. Morris ^C

^A Auckland Sexual Health Service, Building 7, Private Bag 92024, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland, New Zealand.
^B Department of Virology and Immunology, LabPlus, Auckland City Hospital, Building 31, Level 2, Grafton, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
^C Diagnostic MedLab, PO Box 14743, Panmure, Auckland 1741, New Zealand.
^D Corresponding author. Email: SunitaA@adhb.govt.nz





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Sexual Health 5(3) 303–304 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH08015
Submitted: 14 February 2008 Accepted: 4 March 2008 Published online: 6 August 2008

Abstract

We instigated an enhanced voluntary surveillance system to determine the epidemiology of infectious syphilis in Auckland because it is not a notifiable condition. The study took place over a 12-month period from July 2006 to July 2007. We identified 92 cases of infectious syphilis, of which 71 were male (77%). Forty-four (48%) cases were in men who have sex with men, who made up the biggest proportion. Forty-eight cases (52%) acquired their infection in New Zealand and only 48 of all identified cases were symptomatic (52%). Our results confirm that infectious syphilis incidence is currently under-reported.

Keywords: congenital syphilis, men who have sex with men.