Syphilis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and cytomegalovirus infection in homosexual men in Antwerp.

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Abstract
In a homosexual communication center in Antwerp 196 homosexual men were screened for seromarkers of syphilis, hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). A comparison group consisted of 118 heterosexual men attending a venereal disease clinic in Antwerp. Treponemal antibodies were found in 7.1% of homosexual men, of whom half gave no history of past or present infection. Anti HAV was present in 43.3%, HBV seromarkers in 34.4%, and CMV antibodies in 71.2% of homosexual men. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected in 8 homosexual men, but not in the heterosexual control group. Prevalence rates of infections other than HAV were significantly higher in homosexual men than in heterosexual men. Answers to a questionnaire were used to evaluate risk factors for different diseases, which were: duration of active homosexuality for all infections, promiscuity (.gtoreq. 10 partners in the past 6 mo.) for syphilis and hepatitis B, and anal intercourse for hepatitis B. Visiting saunas and traveling for sexual contacts also indicated a higher risk for sexually transmitted disease, but were an indirect expression of promiscuity.