Seroprevalence of syphilis among sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya: a retrospective study
Loeb, K.; van Wyk, A.; Milner, K.; Lemaille, C.; Frederick, C.; Hunter, M.; Martens, B.; Lajoie, J.; Placide, M.; Rimoin, A. W.; Hoff, N. A.; Noyce, R.; Fowke, K. R.; Kimani, J.; Mckinnon, L.; Shaw, S. Y.; Stein, D. R.; Kindrachuk, J.
Show abstract
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted and bloodborne infection caused by Treponema pallidum spp. pallidum. Given the paucity of data on syphilis in Kenyan sex workers and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), we conducted a retrospective study of syphilis seropositivity in female sex workers (FSW) and GBMSM in Nairobi, Kenya. Seropositivity testing of cryopreserved plasma samples showed that 11.1% (72/647) were positive. Syphilis seropositivity was associated with HIV status, and FSWs were disproportionately represented in the seropositive group (66/72, 92%). Here, we report a higher seropositive rate than in previous studies in Kenya, and ongoing community and surveillance supports are important for addressing the ongoing public health impacts of syphilis.
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