Syphilis

Abstract

Although Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) (Schaudinn and Hoffmann, Gesundhamt 22:527–534, 1905) the causative organism of syphilis was established in the first decade of the twentieth century and successful antibiotic treatment with penicillin was published in 1943 (Mahoney et al., Am J Publ Hlth 33:1387–1391, 1943) and as no successful vaccine has been introduced, it is still not a rare disease throughout the world. It is caused through sexual intercourse, the apposition of mucous membranes carrying T. pallidum with those of another human.

This chapter strives to describe the definitions of syphilis, its epidemiology throughout the world and pitfalls in the clinical diagnosis of syphilis. It is not intended to be a complete text on the pathology or multiple manifestations of syphilis. Rationale of the treatment is described together with treatment guidelines based on 2020 European guideline (Janier et al., J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 35:574–588, 2021) on the management of syphilis which are similar to CDC Centers for Disease control and Prevention 2015 Sexually transmitted Treatment Guidelines—syphilis (CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines-syphilis, 2015).