<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Tue 14 Jul 2015
Source: Inland News Today [edited]
<http://www.inlandnewstoday.
California Department of Public Health [CDPH] Director and State
Health Officer Dr Karen Smith said that California has seen an
increase in syphilis cases among women, pregnant women, and newborns
over the past 2 years.
"The increase in congenital syphilis is particularly concerning," Dr
Smith said. "Congenital syphilis occurs when syphilis is transmitted
from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy. It is a
needless tragedy that can be prevented with good prenatal care and
timely and effective treatment."
>From 2012 to 2014, the annual number of reported early syphilis cases
among women more than doubled from 248 cases to 594. The annual number
of reported congenital syphilis cases more than tripled during the
same period, from 30 to 100.
Syphilitic stillbirths also increased, from one case in 2012 to 6
cases in 2014. The increasing trend of syphilis among women appears to
continue in 2015.
Most of the congenital syphilis cases have been reported in the
Central Valley and Los Angeles County.
(COMMENT Routine VDRL making a comeback)
Jonathan HUTCHINSON FRCS A CLINICAL MEMOIR of CERTAIN DISEASES of THE EYE AND EAR CONSEQUENT on INHERITED SYPHILIS. LONDON; CHURCHILL 1863 (picture of syphilitic permanent teeth - facing p205.)
