Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis

Abstract

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections remain common causes of global ill health in which social, economic and behavioural factors are key determinants of their prevalence. They also have biological synergy with the human immunodeficiency virus. Although the incidence of early syphilis is again increasing in most high‐income countries, the classic late syndromes of ‘the great imitator’ causing premature death have become uncommon. Diagnostic techniques have continued to evolve. The World Health Organization has set ambitious targets for the eradication of congenital syphilis. Success requires coordinated multiagency approaches, enhanced surveillance efforts and reliability of appropriate penicillin supplies that have proved difficult to sustain in many low‐income countries.