Infectious Syphilis in Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics in an Urban STD Clinic

Authors

Tai Hunte
Maria L. Alcaide
Ricardo Franco
Khaled Deeb
Jose G. Castro

Publication Date

April 2012

Abstract

Syphilis is a complex infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum and acquired through sexual contact or vertical transmission. The natural history of syphilis is divided in primary, secondary, latent and tertiary stages. The syphilis epidemic has evolved over the years. National rates of syphilis infection dropped to the lowest in 2000 and have since increased in certain populations. Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 60% of new infections and high rates occur in individuals with human immune deficiency virus co-infection. This study describes and compares the demographic characteristics, risk factors, and clinical presentation ofinfectious syphilis cases diagnosed in the Miami-Dade Health Department STD clinic among the two main ethnicities (non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic).

Recommended Citation

Hunte, Tai; Alcaide, Maria L.; Franco, Ricardo; Deeb, Khaled; and Castro, Jose G. (2012) "Infectious Syphilis in Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics in an Urban STD Clinic," Florida Public Health Review: Vol. 9, Article 13.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/fphr/vol9/iss1/13