Title:Syphilis: An Epidemiological Review
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Author(s): Laura Garcia Garcia, Alba Gonzalez-Escalada, M. Carmen Ariza Megia, Angel Gil de Miguel and Ruth Gil Prieto
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Epidemiology, HIV, men who have sex with men, sexual health, sexually transmitted infection, Treponema
pallidum, Syphilis, prenatal screening programs, sexual and reproductive health, blood transfusion
Abstract: Syphilis is a chronic sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a spirochete, Treponema pallidum
subspecies pallidum. Syphilis infection can evolve to tertiary stages that affect all organs of the body. Additionally,
syphilis can be transmitted from mother to fetus, resulting in congenital syphilis. Laboratory tests for the diagnosis of
syphilis are rapid, inexpensive and simple and have high sensitivity and specificity. Syphilis treatment is effective and can
be administered at all stages of life. However, the prevalence of syphilis has increased in the 21st century. The main
increase has been among men who have sex with men (MSM) who have unsafe sex with multiple sexual partners. In
addition, new methods of contacting sexual partners are appearing, such as saunas, bars and the Internet. Interventions
aimed at curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are cost-effective; therefore, prenatal screening programs for
syphilis are necessary to prevent congenital syphilis. Improved education initiatives concerning sexual and reproductive
health, both in the general population and among healthcare workers, and systematic screening for syphilis can halt the
increasing trend in the prevalence of this infection.
