Syphilis cases climb among gay men in Germany

The number of new syphilis cases reported in Germany in 2003 climbed 20% over 2002 levels, with the increase occurring almost entirely among gay and bisexual men, Agence France-Presse reports. Seventy-five percent of the nation's 2,932 syphilis cases diagnosed in 2003 were among men who have sex with men, according to a report from the Berlin-based Robert Koch Institute. The number of women newly diagnosed with syphilis dropped by 10% in 2003. The report says the overall syphilis rise is likely caused by an increase in the number of sexual partners or an increase in unprotected sex, both of which could also lead to rising HIV infection rates in the country.