In the last half of the 20(th) century, medicine has made tremendous inroads against syphilis chiefly owing to the introduction of penicillin and vigorous public health initiatives. Yet, the world continues to be burdened by this disease. Since 2000, overall rates of syphilis have risen in the US and throughout the world. Furthermore, through its association with an increased risk of HIV infection, syphilis has acquired a new potential for morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review is to survey the latest knowledge about syphilis, including pathogenesis and host response, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and, especially, treatment and follow-up.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.