In both African AIDS populations and homosexual populations outside of Africa, a high incidence of syphilis and multiple exposures to infectious diseases results in frequent, often abusive use of antibiotics. Epidemiological evidence exists for chemical immunosuppression resulting from antibiotics and other prescribed and recreational drugs prior to the current AIDS crisis. Analysis and review of literature is given on the effects of subcurative doses of antibiotics masking and distorting the expression of secondary and tertiary syphilis. A high incidence of seronegative syphilis is found in Africa and compares with Western reports of seronegativity and persistence of treponemes despite adequate antibiotic therapies. Late latent and tertiary syphilis produce symptoms and immunosuppression comparable to that seen in the current AIDS crisis. Screening procedures instituted for a group of gay men with AIDS and AIDS related conditions is revealing evidence of chemically immunosuppressed syphilis as a factor in AIDS. Key words: AIDS, immunosuppression, syphilis, chemical immunosuppression, seronegativity, immunosuppressive sera, etiology of AIDS.
PIP: A review of the medical and personal histories of 100 gay men in San Francisco, 24 of whom had already developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), uncovered disproportionate prior antibiotic and immunosuppressive drug use. 25 of the men reported at least 9 of the following 12 conditions: antibiotic treatment for multiple episodes of gonorrhea, hepatitis, nonspecific urethritis, dermatological eruptions treated with long-term tetracycline, sedative or tranquilizer use, chronic sore throat treated with antibiotics, herpes simplex, chronic use of allergy medications and symptom suppressants, lymphadenopathy, diarrhea, daily alcohol use, and recreational drug abuse. On the basis of this finding, it is hypothesized that a prior history of chronic inflammation, combined with the administration of antibiotics and other immunosuppressive drugs, creates an environment conducive to the growth and reproduction of an array of micro-organisms, including the retrovirus found in AIDS. Moreover, among both US homosexuals and African AIDS patients, chemical immunosuppression is often linked to endemic syphilis. The expression of such secondary and tertiary syphilis is commonly masked and distorted by the long-term effects of subcurative doses of antibiotics; in fact, late latent and tertiary syphilis produce symptoms and immunosuppression similar to the profile of AIDS. It is estimated that at least 60% of US homosexuals have a history of syphilis, and 90% of gay with AIDS have had at least 1 syphilitic infection. Since the immunosuppression of advanced syphilis and drug-induced immunosuppression can produce false-negative results in antigen and antibody tests for syphilis, it is recommended that gay men obtain baseline serologic tests for syphilis and undergo repeat testing if new symptoms arise.