April 04, 2024

Scientists are labeling the surge in global syphilis rates as a significant public health crisis, dubbing it "The great imitator."

Syphilis, one of humanity's oldest documented afflictions, is experiencing a resurgence on a global scale.
Esteemed scientists worldwide have labeled this resurgence as a public health crisis and a failure, considering that this sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can lead to severe and even fatal outcomes, particularly for infants, is easily curable with early intervention.
Addressing attendees at the Colorado Convention Centre, Professor Khalil Ghanem from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore highlighted the scarcity of comprehensive data. Despite this, cases of syphilis continue to rise, presenting clinicians with increasingly complex clinical scenarios.
Ghanem emphasized the lack of systematic information on managing advanced syphilis cases such as neurosyphilis (involving the central nervous system) and ocular syphilis (affecting the eyes).
Referred to by some medical practitioners as "the great imitator," syphilis manifests in diverse clinical forms that can resemble other illnesses. In severe instances, it inflicts chronic damage on multiple organs in adults.
Additionally, the infection can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, resulting in congenital syphilis, which can lead to premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and various birth defects. While sexual transmission is the primary mode, proper condom use can prevent it.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016, there were an estimated 661,000 cases of congenital syphilis globally, contributing to significant stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and infants diagnosed with the infection.
Epidemiologist Alex de Voux from the University of Cape Town underscored the failure of healthcare systems in addressing the resurgence of syphilis, despite the availability of testing and treatment. He emphasized the grave consequences, including stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and long-term complications, all stemming from a preventable infection treated with age-old penicillin.
Statistics presented at the conference revealed a substantial increase in syphilis cases in recent years, with various studies highlighting its association with HIV, especially among populations like men who have sex with men (MSM).
Despite historical declines following the advent of penicillin, syphilis cases have surged in the past two decades, attributed partly to decreased condom use and challenges in healthcare access. Congenital syphilis cases are often underreported, reflecting gaps in healthcare systems.
While penicillin remains the primary treatment during pregnancy, shortages pose challenges, leading to alternative treatments like doxycycline. However, this presents its own set of issues, including gastrointestinal side effects.
Experts stress the urgency of developing new treatment strategies and a vaccine for syphilis, although such solutions remain elusive.