NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Overall, the syphilis rate rose in the United States by 9.1% between 2001 and 2002, according to new statistics released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"This represents the second consecutive increase following a decade-long decline and an all-time low in 2000," the CDC's Dr. John Douglas said during a telebriefing with reporters Thursday.

The total number of reported syphilis cases in 2002 was 12.4% higher than in the previous year, 6,862 versus 6,103 cases, but since many cases of syphilis go undiagnosed the actual number is "probably significantly higher," he said. The overall increase -- 9.1% -- reflects a change from 2.2 cases per 100,000 population to 2.4 per 100,000.

As in 2001, the increase in syphilis rates occurred only among men. The number of reported cases among men jumped 27.4% between 2001 and 2002. This included increases of 85.2% among white men and 35.6% among Latino men, while African American men experienced a slight decline of 2.6%.

Although the new statistics do not include information about sexual orientation, the CDC estimates that more than 40% of reported cases in 2002 were among men who have sex with men. "These cases account for much of the reported increase overall," Dr. Douglas said.

In contrast to the increases among men, the new CDC data show "substantial progress" at reducing syphilis cases among women and African Americans. Syphilis cases fell 19.3% among women overall and 21.7% among black women between 2001 and 2002. Syphilis cases declined 10.3% among African Americans.

"These declines are likely the result of ongoing syphilis education and testing programs in these populations," Dr. Douglas said. "Although the syphilis rate was still 8.2 times higher among African Americans than among whites, the continuing declines in reported cases clearly show that progress is possible in the groups most affected," Dr. Douglas added.

The latest figures on syphilis in the U.S. are published in the November 21st issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Mor Mortal Wkly Rep CDC Surveill Summ 2003;52

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