Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2017

STD Diseases on this page:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Chancroid

Gonorrhea and chlamydia in Minnesota are monitored through a mostly passive surveillance system involving review of submitted case reports and laboratory reports. Syphilis is monitored through active surveillance, which involves immediate follow-up with the clinician upon receipt of a positive laboratory report. Although overall incidence rates for STDs in Minnesota are lower than those in many other areas of the United States, certain population subgroups in Minnesota have very high STD rates. Specifically, STDs disproportionately affect adolescents, young adults, and persons of color.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most commonly reported infectious disease in Minnesota. In 2017, 23,528 chlamydia cases (444 per 100,000 population) were reported, representing a 4% increase from 2016
(Table 3).

Adolescents and young adults are at highest risk for acquiring a chlamydia infection (Table 4). The chlamydia rate is highest among 20 to 24-year-olds (2,423 per 100,000), followed by the 15 to 19-year-old age group (1,606 per 100,000). The incidence of chlamydia among adults 25 to 29 years of age (1,180 per 100,000) is considerably lower but has increased in recent years. The chlamydia rate among females (574 per 100,000) is nearly twice the rate among males (311 per 100,000), a difference most likely due to more frequent screening among females.

Chlamydia infection incidence is highest in communities of color (Table 4). The rate among blacks (2,019 per 100,000) is 9.7 times higher than the rate among whites (209 per 100,000). Although blacks comprise approximately 5% of Minnesota’s population, they account for 24% of reported chlamydia cases. Rates among Asian/Pacific Islanders (391 per 100,000), Hispanics (649 per 100,000), and American Indian/Alaska Natives (1,083 per 100,000) are over 2 to 5 times higher than the rate among whites.

Chlamydia infections occur throughout the state, with the highest reported rates in Minneapolis (1,293 per 100,000) and St. Paul (976 per 100,000). While there was an overall increase of 4% across the state in 2017, the greatest increase for chlamydia was seen in Minneapolis and the metropolitan area suburban area. These areas displayed an increase of 8%, as shown in Table 4. Every county in Minnesota had at least 2 cases in 2017.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported STD in Minnesota. In 2017, 6,519 cases (123 per 100,000 population) were reported. This is the highest reported rate of gonorrhea in the last decade (Table 3).

Adolescents and young adults are at greatest risk for gonorrhea (Table 4), with rates of 316 per 100,000 among 15 to 19- year-olds, 489 per 100,000 among 20 to 24-year olds, and 362 per 100,000 among 25 to 29-year-olds.
Gonorrhea rates for males (136 per 100,000) were higher than females (110 per 100,000). Communities of color are disproportionately affected by gonorrhea. The incidence of gonorrhea among blacks (875 per 100,000) is
20 times higher than the rate among whites (44 per 100,000). Rates among Asian/Pacific Islanders (90 per
100,000), Hispanics (134 per 100,000), and American Indian/Alaska Natives (561 per 100,000) are up to 13 times higher than among whites.

Gonorrhea rates are highest in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul (Table 4). The incidence in Minneapolis (563 per 100,000) is over 1.5 times higher than the rate in St. Paul (363 per 100,000), 6 times higher than the rate in the suburban metropolitan area (87 per 100,000), and 10 times higher than the rate in Greater Minnesota (54 per 100,000). In 2017, greater Minnesota saw the largest increase in cases at 39%.

The emergence of quinolone- resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG) in recent years has become a particular concern. Due to the high prevalence of QRNG in Minnesota as well as nationwide, quinolones are no longer recommended for the treatment of gonococcal infections. Additionally, CDC changed the treatment guidelines for gonococcal infections in August 2012.
CDC no longer recommends cefixime at any dose as a first-line regimen for treatment of gonococcal infections. If cefixime is used as an alternative agent, then the patient should return in 1 week for a test-of-cure at the site of infection. New CDC STD Treatment Guidelines were released in 2015.

Syphilis

Surveillance data for primary and secondary syphilis are used to monitor morbidity trends because these represent recently acquired infections. Data for early syphilis (which includes primary, secondary, and early latent stages of disease) are used in outbreak investigations because these represent infections acquired within the past 12 months and signify opportunities for disease prevention.

Primary and Secondary Syphilis

The incidence of primary/secondary syphilis in Minnesota is lower than that of chlamydia or gonorrhea (Table 3), but has remained elevated since an outbreak began in 2002 among men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2017, there were 292 cases of primary/ secondary syphilis in Minnesota (5.5 cases per 100,000 persons). This represents a 5% decrease compared to the 306 cases (5.8 per 100,000) reported in 2016.

Early Syphilis

In 2017, the number of early syphilis cases increased by 8%, with 605 cases, compared to 557 cases in 2016. The incidence remains highly concentrated among MSM. Of the early syphilis cases in 2017, 511 (84%) occurred among men; 426 (70%) of these were MSM; 46% of the MSM diagnosed with early syphilis were co-infected with HIV. However, the number of women reported has continued to increase from 2012.

Congenital Syphilis

Two congenital syphilis cases were reported in 2017.

Chancroid

Chancroid continues to be very rare in Minnesota. The last case was reported in 1999.

• For up to date information see>> Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2017