Partner notification: can it control epidemic syphilis?

Article Abstract:

The rate of syphilis in Oregon increased by 159 percent in 1987, but the number of cases of gonorrhea remained unchanged. Partner notification, an established public health control measure, was successful in containing the transmission of gonorrhea, but not syphilis. A case-controlled study was begun to determine what factors were responsible for the failure of partner notification to control the spread of syphilis. One hundred forty-six syphilis patients and 164 gonorrhea patients were interviewed. Patients with syphilis were significantly more likely to have used drugs, and were more likely to have used drugs intravenously. During the infectious period, the syphilis patients had an average of 6.3 sex partners, compared with an average of 1.6 sex partners among the gonorrhea patients. The patients with syphilis could supply an address or a phone number for sexual partners only 20 percent of the time. Gonorrhea patients could supply the same information for 73 percent of their partners. These results suggest that partner notification is significantly less effective in the population of patients with syphilis because of differences in the behavior of that group. Control of the syphilis epidemic in Oregon will require other methods to supplement partner notification. Also, the behaviors common among the syphilis patients are similar to those found among acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. This may be an area for particular concern, as the partner notification program may be no more effective in controlling the spread of AIDS than it has been in containing syphilis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Sexually transmitted diseases, Syphilis, AIDS (Disease), Syphilis patients

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An outbreak of hepatitis B associated with jet injections in a weight reduction clinic

Article Abstract:

Hepatitis B (HB) is the inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. Studies show that outbreaks of HB have occurred in health care settings if unclean needles were used for injections or acupuncture. An outbreak of HB in a weight reduction clinic is reported. Between January 1984 and November 1985, 31 cases of HB were reported at a weight reduction clinic. In each case, the patient had received injections of human chorionic gonadotropin by jet injector (a device for giving shots into the muscle) before the onset of the disease. Information concerning clinical history, risk factors for HB, blood tests, and clinical injection records was obtained for 287 of 341 persons attending the clinic in the first six months of 1985. Sixty of these 287 patients were diagnosed with HB, and 57 of 239 patients given human chorionic gonadotropin by jet injector developed HB. Persons who received injections only by single-use disposable syringe did not develop HB. Cessation of the use of jet injectors was associated with a termination of the HB outbreak. These findings show that jet injectors can be contaminated with the HB virus and may then transmit the virus to other individuals. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Communicable diseases, Medical equipment, Hepatitis B, Contamination, Hypodermic jet injectors, Needle-free injection devices

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The importance of preventing hepatitis C virus infection among injection drug users in the United States

Article Abstract:

Educational and other types of programs directed to injectable drug users are needed to help prevent the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Unsafe needle use is the predominant form of transmission. HCV is especially difficult to treat, as it has an ability to mutate rapidly. HCV is a major cause of liver disease, and those who are infected are susceptible to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Infection is also easily passed along to others.

Safety and security measures, Prevention, Hepatitis C, Syringes, Hepatitis C virus

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