Early Syphilis May Greatly Increase HIV Viral Load

Syphilis infection was associated with a transient dip in CD4-cell count and a significant increase in HIV viral load, regardless of HIV treatment status.

Numerous recent reports have highlighted the widespread upsurge of new HIV and syphilis diagnoses among young men who have sex with men (MSM; JW AIDS Clin Care Nov 21 2011). In the present study, investigators sought to better define the effects of early syphilis on CD4-cell count and viral load in HIV-infected men.

Using the French Hospital Database on HIV, researchers identified 282 HIV-infected men who acquired primary or secondary syphilis between 1998 and 2006 and matched them with 1233 HIV-infected men without syphilis. Nearly 90% of both groups were MSM (median age, <40). Data were analyzed for 2 years before and 2 years after the index episode of active syphilis.

Compared with syphilis-free men, those with syphilis were significantly …

Reviewing Author

Brian R. Wood, MD

Early Syphilis May Greatly Increase HIV Viral Load

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