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Background. An estimated 25% of primary and secondary syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum, occurs in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Chesson et al., 2005). This association is especially evident in men who have sex with men (MSM). In HIV-positive patients, primary syphilis infection may progress more rapidly to the tertiary, and most destructive, stage and reinfection can start with the latent or tertiary stage; in such patients, advanced syphilis may arise without clinical warning signs (Kenyan et al., 2018). It is important to note that neurosyphilis can occur during any stage of infection in all patients, regardless of immunocompetence status (CDC, 2021). Case Presentation. A 56-year-old male with a past medical history of well-controlled HIV with a CD4 count of 700 cells/mm3 and an undetectable viral load, psoriasis, and a remote episode of treated syphilis, presented with a two-week history of a diffuse desquamating rash, alopecia, sinusitis, unilateral conjunctivitis, and blurred vision. His last sexual encounter was over ten months ago. The diagnosis of syphilis was confirmed by microhemagglutination assay, and he was treated for presumed neuro-ocular infection with a two-week course of intravenous Penicillin G. Conclusion. Syphilis has acquired a reputation as “the great masquerader” due to its protean manifestations. It may follow an unpredictable course, especially in HIV-positive patients, including those whose treatment has achieved undetectable serology. For example, ocular syphilis may present in an otherwise asymptomatic individual (Rein, 2020) and alopecia may arise as the sole indication of acute syphilitic infection (Doche et al., 2017). Therefore, a high index of suspicion is warranted in order to prevent severe and irreversible complications.

Increases in the prevalence of syphilis, along with difficulties in recognizing its various clinical presentations, make it an elusive diagnosis. A primary asymptomatic chancre may go unnoticed. Secondary syphilis rash can masquerade as numerous dermatological conditions. Latent syphilis is asymptomatic. Tertiary syphilis can affect the cardiovascular and neurological systems. Failure to correctly diagnose syphilis in its earlier stages leads to dissemination of infection to sexual partners. A positive screening nontreponemal test is confirmed with a treponemal test. Treatment response is monitored by serologic titers. Sexual contacts must be treated. Diagnosis, treatment, and management are presented for 4 stages of syphilis.

Background Studies show men who have sex with men (MSM) practising receptive anal sex are more likely to present with secondary syphilis, suggesting anorectal primary lesions are being missed. Regular anal self-examination might be able to detect anorectal syphilis lesions, hence potentially reducing transmission. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of MSM on performing anal self-examination to detect primary syphilis. Methods In this qualitative study, 20 MSM over 18 years of age were purposively sampled from a sexual health clinic to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and data analysed thematically. Results Four major themes and 12 sub-themes were generated from the study: (1) reasons for performing anal self-examination, (2) preferred educational resources for anal self-examination, (3) attitudes towards partner anal examination, and (4) acceptability of anal self-examination. Most participants had performed some form of anal self-examination in the past, and, just over half performed regularly for mostly health-related concerns. Most participants who infrequently or never performed anal self-examination were agreeable to perform regularly if it was recommended by health professionals with appropriate guidance. Participants preferred education on anal self-examination from health professionals and trusted online learning resources. Conclusion Our study showed MSM were agreeable to anal self-examination however would like to receive education and training to gain more confidence in conducting anal self-examination as a screening tool. Further studies are required to explore the adherence and acceptability of anal self-examination for syphilis prior to studies examining efficacy. The study provides foundation for any future policy aiming at utilising anal self-examination as a screening tool for syphilis among MSM.

A systematic review of case reports and series of oral syphilis found that the most affected anatomical site was the tongue (37.5%), followed by the lips (29.5%), palates (19.3%), and buccal mucosa (6.8%). Supplemental digital content is available in the text., Rapid emergence of syphilis and oral sexual behaviors has focused attention on oral syphilis, and published reports of cases with oral syphilis have increased in the recent decades. We performed a systematic literature review by searching articles from PubMed, EMBSE, and Google Scholar, looking for case reports or series that would potentially have the clinical characteristics and outcomes for each individual case with oral syphilis. A total of 145 cases with the infection, from 95 studies, were identified to include in our review. Two main clinical phenotypes (ulcerative lesions and mucous patches) appeared to be of particular relevance to oral manifestations. A solitary ulcer was mostly manifested as the lesion of primary syphilis (91.7%) preferentially located on the upper lip, tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa. The most affected anatomical site in the patients with single location involved was the tongue (37.5%), followed by the lips (29.5%), palates (19.3%), and buccal mucosa (6.8%). It is concluded that oral syphilis has its predominant clinical phenotypes although it can manifest in diverse manners.

OBJECTIVE: To describe cases of syphilis in pregnant women in the state of Acre from 2015 to 2020. METHOD: This is a descriptive ecological study using secondary data available on the website of the Information Department of the Unified Health System - DATASUS, tabulated from the TABNET whose variables used were: year of notification, level of education, age group, race/color, clinical classification, gestational age, and treatment regimen. RESULTS: 2443 cases were reported in the period, and most were aged between 20 and 29 years, 1146 (47%), with incomplete primary education 677 (28%) and brown race/color 1983 (81%). The disease had its highest peak in 2018, with the notification of 627 (26%) cases, showing a reduction from this year. As for the clinical classification, most were classified as primary syphilis 900 (37%), diagnosed in the 1st trimester of pregnancy 876 (36%). As for the treatment scheme used, the one without information in the system predominated 1891 (77.4%), and among the available data, penicillin was the antibiotic of choice 529 (21.7%). CONCLUSION: it was found that the cases of syphilis in Acre showed a reduction in the last year analyzed, which may be related to the low frequency of prenatal care due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Young women were affected and classified as primary syphilis in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

Secondary syphilis develops approximately 3 to 12 weeks following undetected and untreated primary syphilis. Despite historically low rates of syphilis infection in 2000, the United States is now experiencing an alarming resurgence in primary, secondary, and congenital syphilis. This case report describes an unexpected presentation in a young woman presenting for an initial well-woman examination. Social and behavioral drivers of syphilis infection, diagnosis, and treatment are presented. Implications for women's health are examined. The need for new and more effective preventive health strategies is reviewed.

Introduction Serological test for primary syphilis could be negative the first 5–15 days. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of including dark field microscopy (DFM) in the diagnosis algorythm for primary syphilis. Materials/methods Patients attended to a sexual transmission diseases clinic of Madrid, from 2015 to 2019, for a genital ulcer with clinical suspicion of primary syphilis. They were tested for DMF and serological test (EIA/TPPA/RPR). Results Over the total amount of samples (806), 53.2% (429) were positive for DFM. Thus, the 48% of the 429 patients had negative serological test (EIA/RPR) of which the 77.6% were positive at TPPA. Conclusions DFM allows primary syphilis early diagnosis, even without serological test. If no direct detection methods are available, for patients without history of syphilis, TPPA could help to diagnose primary syphilis.

BackgroundPrimary syphilis is characterised by the appearance of an ulcerated lesion (chancre) on the anogenital or oral mucosa from which Treponema pallidum DNA may be detectable by PCR. Serological tests for syphilis may be non-reactive in early infection, even after the appearance of a chancre. We reviewed the use of a multiplex-PCR (M-PCR) test to determine the added value of T. pallidum DNA detection in the management of individuals presenting with mucocutaneous ulceration at a sexual health service in central London.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of all individuals with detectable T. pallidum DNA from September 2019 to April 2020. Electronic patient records were reviewed and concomitant results for treponemal serology and/or rapid plasma reagin (RPR) extracted, along with demographic data, history of syphilis and indices of sexual behaviour including number of sexual partners contacted. Any subsequent treponemal serology and RPR results were also reviewed.ResultsM-PCR swab specimens were performed in 450 individuals, of whom 63 (14%) had detectable T. pallidum DNA; 60 of 63 (95%) were gay or bisexual men and 11 of 63 (17%) were living with HIV. A history of treated syphilis was present in 17 of 63 (27%). Same-day treponemal serology/RPR testing was performed in 58 of 63 (92%) patients. Of the 58 who had same-day syphilis serology/RPR, 9 (16%) had their syphilis infection confirmed by treponemal DNA PCR alone. A total of 165 partners were traced as contacts of infection, of whom 25 (15%) were contacts of individuals diagnosed by M-PCR testing alone.ConclusionIn individuals with T. pallidum PCR-positive lesions, around one in six in our cohort were negative on standard diagnostic serological tests for syphilis. Treponemal DNA testing is an important addition to serological assays in individuals with mucocutaneous ulceration who are at risk of recent syphilis infection and facilitates early diagnosis and contact tracing.

Background: National rates of HIV, gonorrhoeae and syphilis have increased in Chile in recent years, but it is not known if syphilis among pregnant women (PW) is also escalating. Aim: To explore syphilis rates among PW in a southern Chilean region and to describe clinical features of mothers and offspring. Patients and Methods: We selected PW with positive VDRL or T. pallidum micro-he-magglutination (MHA-TP) reactive tests, referred to a high-risk obstetrical pathology center between 2011 and 2019. Clinical information of mothers and their offspring was obtained from their medical records. Results: Syphilis rates among PW increased from 0.4 to 7.2 per 1,000 live births in the reference center from 2013 to 2019, along with a national and regional increase in both sexes. Twenty-nine cases of PW with syphilis were identified with a median age of 28 years (interquartile range 23-32). Seventeen percent had a history of drug abuse, and 14% had previous sexually transmitted diseases. In seven cases (24%), the diagnosis occurred at delivery. Three percent of patients had a primary syphilis, 14% a secondary syphilis, 24% an early latent syphilis, and 59% a latent syphilis. All cases except one case were treated with benzathine penicillin G and the remaining with erythromycin due to allergy suspicion. Penicillin desensitization was required in two cases (7%). Treatment timing was inadequate in 10 cases (34.5%). Of 19 patients with available serological follow-up, 10 (53%) showed a significant decrease in VDRL titers (≥ 2 dilutions) and two cases had re-infection. Two patients (7%) had an abortion, two had congenital syphilis (7%), and six had premature births (21%), totaling 35% of adverse-pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions: Resurgence of syphilis among pregnant women is happening in southern Chile and is associated to adverse-pregnancy outcomes.

Treponemal immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody detection is currently among serologic tests used for syphilis diagnosis. However, the exact role of these antibodies is unclear. In this retrospective study of 326 (198 HIV positive and 128 negative) patients with early syphilis and positive IgM serology, data were analysed to investigate the time of IgM seroreversion after treatment and correlation with covariate factors. Median time of IgM seroreversion in the study population was 9 months (range 3–84, interquartile range 5–12). No statistically significant difference was observed between HIV-positive and -negative patients. At 12 months, 80.1% of the patients had a negative IgM test. At 6 months, 100% of HIV-positive patients had a fourfold decrease or greater in Venereal Disease Research Laboratory titres, but only 35.4% had a negative treponemal IgM. Secondary and early latent stage patients had a slower seroreversion of IgM (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.73, p = 0.064 and HR = 0.60, p = 0.023, respectively) than those with primary syphilis. A very strong association was observed of time to seroreversion of treponemal IgM with baseline VDRL titre ( p < 0.001). Treponemal IgM antibody detection often cannot distinguish between active and successfully treated syphilis. Treponemal IgM may only be useful in the cases recommended in the guidelines, and in cases of untreated syphilis, it could support but not confirm the diagnosis.

Background Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Recently, its incidence has been increasing worldwide. We encountered a young woman who presented with induration mimicking squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lip, without major medical conditions. Case presentation A 25-year-old Japanese woman presented with a 1-month history of a painless induration in her lower lip. Because squamous cell carcinoma was suspected, a preoperation work up was performed, including laboratory tests, an ultrasonographic examination, and a biopsy. The ultrasonography findings showed an oval-shaped 17 × 11 × 12 mm tumor-like lesion with heterogeneous internal echo and an indistinct border. A pressure test and color Doppler sonography revealed that the lesion was soft with a very abundant blood flow. These findings suggested the possibility of underlying inflammatory causes rather than a neoplastic tumor. Serology tests for syphilis, including the anti-Treponema pallidum antibody and reactive rapid plasma reagin tests, were positive. The biopsy revealed no malignancy. Finally, she was diagnosed as having primary syphilis and treated with amoxicillin for 28 days. The rapid plasma reagin value gradually decreased and the initial induration in her lower lip disappeared. Conclusion This case highlights the need for prompt examinations for possible underlying infective causes, such as syphilis, when seeing a painless induration with ulcer in the lip. Ultrasonography was helpful in the differential diagnosis of a tumor-like lesion and should be included in addition to syphilis serology tests, such as anti-Treponema pallidum antibody and rapid plasma reagin tests.

Background DNA from many pathogens can be detected in saliva. However, the presence and quantity of Treponema pallidum DNA in patients with syphilis in saliva is unknown. Methods 234 patients with syphilis with different stages and 30 volunteers were enrolled. Paired saliva and plasma samples were collected from all participants. Consecutive saliva samples from 9 patients were collected every 4 hours following treatment. Treponema pallidum DNA in samples was determined by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and droplet digital PCR targeting polA and Tpp47. Results Treponema pallidum DNA detection rates in saliva and plasma were 31.0% (9/29) and 51.7% (15/29) in primary syphilis (P = .11), 87.5% (63/72) and 61.1% (44/72) in secondary syphilis (P, There were high loads of Treponema pallidum DNA in saliva in patients with syphilis. In addition, the collection of saliva is noninvasive and convenient. Therefore, saliva may be a new specimen for syphilis diagnosis.

The characteristics and serological responses of primary syphilis are not completely understood. We aimed to describe the characteristics, the serological responses and presumptive treatment of primary syphilis in HIV-positive and -negative men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted a retrospective review of microbiological and demographic information from MSM presenting with primary syphilis. There were 111 cases of primary syphilis in MSM, the median age was 46 (IQR = 37–53years) and 40 (36%) were living with HIV. Fifty percent of MSM presented with painful lesions and 14% with extra-genital lesions. Extra-genital lesions were significantly more likely to be painful than non-genital lesions (OR 4.72; 95%CI = 1.25–17.83, p = 0.02). Overall, a reactive serological response demonstrated a sensitivity of 80% (57/71) compared with Treponema pallidum PCR. Serology was more sensitive in MSM with no previous syphilis (OR = 3.38, 95%CI = 1.00–11.43, p

Coinfection between syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) could have varied clinical manifestations. Overlapping of syphilis stages is accounted for 25% of cases, attributable to the defect of the cellular and humoral immune response. We reported 55 years old man who was sexually active since 25 years ago via genito-genital, genito-anal, genito-oral routes, had multiple sexual partners both male and female, seldom used condom, and always being the insertive. Dermatological examination revealed alopecia non-scarring, a painless solitary ulcer on the collum penis, also multiple erythematous macules, patches, and plaques all over the body. Spirochaeta sp. was found from the base of the ulcer with a darkfield microscope. Histopathology examination revealed secondary syphilis lesion. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) 1:16, Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination test (TPHA) reactive, HIV Determine rapid test reactive, and CD4 (Cluster of Differentiation 4) T-cell count 111 cells/ µL. He was treated with a single dose of benzathine penicillin G 2,4 million units intramuscular and antiretroviral drugs. On sixth month evaluation, VDRL was non-reactive, and CD4 T-cell count 325 cells/µL. This case shows that overlapping clinical manifestations of primary and secondary syphilis on HIV patients could occur with a good general condition. Immediate treatment of antibiotics for syphilis and antiretroviral could improve the clinical and serological conditions.Keyword: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, HIVCorrespondence: nurul.laili.nahlia@gmail.com

Syphilis cases are on the increase especially in men who have sex with men (MSM) in urban areas of high-income countries. There is a strong association between syphilis and HIV infections. We review the more recent literature regarding the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic investigations, treatment and follow-up of syphilis in HIV infection. Although the clinical manifestations of syphilis in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV-uninfected patients are broadly similar, differences have been described in PLHIV. Asymptomatic primary syphilis and secondary syphilis are more common in PLHIV as well as several atypical and severe syphilis presentations. Asymptomatic and symptomatic neurosyphilis are also more commonly described in the HIV infected. The use of penicillin regimes remains the mainstay of treatment, although there is evidence of the successful use of non-penicillin-based regimes, e.g. doxycycline. Syphilis infections in PLHIV are common and increasing. A low index of suspicion and testing with appropriate, rapid treatment should decrease the significant morbidity associated with this infection.

Background Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, subspecies pallidum. As these bacteria are difficult to culture, syphilis must be diagnosed by serologic testing. The introduction of automated treponemal tests has led to changes in the traditional diagnostic algorithm for syphilis, which began with a nontreponemal test. We present 15 cases of primary syphilis detected using these new tools and review the microbiologic techniques used for the diagnosis of early syphilis. Material and methods We examined all cases of syphilis diagnosed in our department between January 2013 and September 2018 and selected patients with negative nontreponemal (rapid plasma reagin [RPR]) tests. Results Of the 158 patients diagnosed with syphilis during the study period, 15 had a negative RPR test, and 14 of them had a positive treponemal test. Fourteen of the patients were men and ages ranged from 22 to 60 years. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect T pallidum in the lesion exudate from 8 patients and was positive in all cases. The 15 patients were treated with a single injection of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin G. Conclusion Chemiluminescence immunoassays and T pallidum automated enzyme-linked immunoassays are useful in the diagnosis of early syphilis, and we believe that they should be adopted as screening tools given their diagnostic sensitivity, speed, and low cost.

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema Pallidum, usually by vertical transmission, known as congenital syphilis, or even sexual, called acquired syphilis. In addition, contamination can occur indirectly, through the use of contaminated objects, such as tattoo needles or blood transfusions. It is considered a public health problem due to its high degree of incidence, mostly in low-income countries. The record of cases of the disease has increased in the last twenty years. Given the above, this article aims to review the literature on the oral manifestations of syphilis. SciVerse Scopus, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), US National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) and ScienceDirect, with assistance from Mendeley. The articles were collected from May to August 2021 and covered between 2015 and 2021. From the review of the literature narrative, it was observed that oral manifestations resulting from syphilis can occur in different ways, depending on the its stage of infection and disease evolution. The role of the dental surgeon becomes important for the diagnosis of infected patients, for the successful treatment of oral lesions, improving their prognosis and quality of life. La sífilis es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por Treponema pallidum, generalmente por transmisión vertical, conocida como sífilis congénita, o incluso sexual, llamada sífilis adquirida. Además, la contaminación puede ocurrir indirectamente, mediante el uso de objetos contaminados, como agujas de tatuajes o transfusiones de sangre. Se considera un problema de salud pública por su alto grado de incidencia, principalmente en países de bajos ingresos. El registro de casos de la enfermedad se ha incrementado en los últimos veinte años. Dado lo anterior, este artículo tiene como objetivo revisar la literatura sobre las manifestaciones orales de la sífilis. Para la construcción de este trabajo, se realizó un levantamiento bibliográfico en las bases de datos SciVerse Scopus, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) y ScienceDirect, con la ayuda de Mendeley. Los artículos fueron recolectados de mayo a agosto de 2021 y cubiertos entre los años 2015 a 2021. A partir de la revisión narrativa de la literatura, se observó que las manifestaciones bucales derivadas de la sífilis pueden presentarse de diferentes formas, dependiendo de su etapa de infección y evolución de la enfermedad. El papel del cirujano dental se vuelve importante para el diagnóstico de los pacientes infectados, para el tratamiento exitoso de las lesiones bucales, mejorando su pronóstico y calidad de vida. A sífilis consiste em uma doença infecciosa causada pelo Treponema Pallidum, normalmente por transmissão vertical, sendo conhecida como sífilis congênita, ou, ainda, sexual, chamada de sífilis adquirida. Além disso, a contaminação pode ocorrer de forma indireta, pela utilização de objetos contaminados, como agulhas de tatuagem ou transfusão sanguínea. É considerada um problema de saúde pública, devido ao seu alto grau de incidência, majoritariamente em países de baixa renda. O registro de casos da doença tem aumentado nos últimos vinte anos. Diante do exposto, este artigo possui como objetivo revisar a literatura acerca das manifestações bucais da sífilis. Para a construção deste trabalho foi feito um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados SciVerse Scopus, Scientific Eletronic Library Online (Scielo), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) e ScienceDirect, utilizando o gerenciador de referências Mendeley. Os artigos foram coletados no período de maio a agosto de 2021 e contemplados entre os anos de 2015 a 2021. A partir da revisão narrativa da literatura, observou-se que as manifestações orais decorrentes da sífilis podem ocorrer de diversas formas, a depender do seu estágio de infecção e evolução da doença. O papel do cirurgião dentista se torna importante para o diagnóstico dos pacientes infectados, para o sucesso do tratamento das lesões orais, melhorando seu prognostico e qualidade de vida.