Syphilis does not only affect the individual but is also a public health problem. It also increases risk of HIV infection and can cause lifelong morbidity among children born to infected mothers. High risk behaviour like multiple sex partners and unsafe injection practices not only increases chances of acquiring HIV but increase the risk for HBV and HCV transmission. This study was undertaken to study the seroprevalence of Syphilis and co–infection with HIV, HBV and HCV in a tertiary care hospital of Mumbai.

Material and Methods:

A total of 4160 blood samples received in the Regional STI Training, Research and Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Mumbai from patients attending the Suraksha clinic, referrals from high risk cases from peripheral hospitals, various STI clinics and ART patients were received from January to December 2016. Syphilis testing was performed using VDRL antigen from Institute of Serology, Kolkata. All the sera reactive in qualitative and quantitative VDRL test were confirmed for antitreponemal antibodies by TPHA test. Biological false positives (BFP) estimated Testing for HIV was done as per National guidelines. Hepatitis B surface Antigen and Hepatitis C virus antibody testing were done using ELISA methods.

Results:

The seroprevalence of Syphilis in our study was 3% with BFP of 0.7 %. HIV, HBV and HCV seropositivity in the study was 6.63%, 3.36% and 1.73% respectively. The co–infection rate of HIV, HBV and HCV with Syphilis in the study was 0.21%, 0.16% and 0.07% respectively. Co–infection of HBV and HCV with HIV was 0.28% and 0.26% respectively. HBV and HCV co–infection was 0.04%.

Conclusion:

Public health interventions should be carried out to promote awareness of syphilis among physicians and populations at risk in India. The increased risk of acquiring HBV, HCV and HIV in STI clinic attendees warrants screening the high–risk population for these viral infections.