[Syphilis]. / Syphilis.

Syphilis is back since 2000. Early syphilis comprises primary syphilis, secondary syphilis and early latent syphilis (less than 1 year duration). During early phases of syphilis, patients are more contagious and neurologic complications are rare. Early neurosyphilis are mostly represented by uveitis or cranial nerves lesions. Treatment of non-neurologic syphilis are based on intramusculary injection of benzathine-penicilline G: one injection in case of early syphilis, three injections in case of late syphilis. The follow-up after treatment is based on clinical evolution and the titer of VDRL. Intravenously infusion of penicillin G is the only treatment recommended for neurosyphilis.

An outbreak of infectious syphilis among young heterosexuals in an English town.

We describe a recent outbreak of syphilis in young heterosexuals in the north west of England. A cluster of 12 cases of syphilis (7 primary and 5 early latent) was identified in Rochdale in heterosexuals aged 20 or under. Nine were women. Five were asymptomatic at presentation. This outbreak occurred in a group not usually associated with syphilis transmission in the north west. Not all the identified cases could be linked, and so potentially this outbreak is a sentinel of a larger problem.

Syphilis in the HIV-infected patient: an update on epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

After a decade of unprecedented declines, incidence of early-stage syphilis in the United States and Europe has increased significantly since 2000. These cases have occurred at disproportionately elevated rates among people infected with HIV. Speculation continues as to whether the clinical spectrum of syphilis is qualitatively different among those individuals who are HIV infected. Recent data suggest that individuals who are immune compromised because of HIV have a higher likelihood of developing neurosyphilis. Recommendations for treatment of syphilis remain the same for patients with and without HIV.