Syphilis, \'the great imitator\', caused by Treponema pallidum infection, remains a complex and multifaceted disease with a rich history of clinical diversity. This guideline aims to be a comprehensive guide for healthcare workers in Southern Africa, offering practical insights into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing, therapeutic principles, and public health responses to syphilis. Although the syphilis burden has declined over the years, recent data indicate a troubling resurgence, particularly among pregnant women and neonates. This guideline highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by syphilis, stemming from the absence of a single high-sensitivity and -specificity test. While treatment with penicillin remains the cornerstone of treatment, alternative regimens may be used for specific scenarios. We highlight the importance of thorough patient follow-up and management of sex partners to ensure optimal care of syphilis cases. In the context of public health, we emphasise the need for concerted efforts to combat the increasing burden of syphilis, especially within high-risk populations, including people living with HIV.

Syphilis -the \"great simulator\" for classical venereologists-is re-emerging in Western countries despite adequate treatment; several contributing factors have been identified, including changes in sexual behaviour, which won\'t be the topic of this article though. In 2021, a total of 6613 new cases of syphilis were reported in Spain, representing an incidence of 13.9×100 000 inhabitants (90.5%, men). Rates have increased progressively since 2000. The clinical presentation of syphilis is heterogeneous. Although chancroid, syphilitic roseola and syphilitic nails are typical lesions, other forms of the disease can be present such as non-ulcerative primary lesions like Follmann balanitis, chancres in the oral cavity, patchy secondary lingual lesions, or enanthema on the palate and uvula, among many others. Regarding diagnosis, molecular assays such as PCR have been replacing dark-field microscopy in ulcerative lesions while automated treponemal tests (EIA, CLIA) are being used in serological tests, along with classical tests (such as RPR and HAART) for confirmation and follow-up purposes. The interpretation of these tests should be assessed in the epidemiological and clinical context of the patient. HIV serology and STI screening should be requested for anyone with syphilis. Follow-up of patients under treatment is important to ensure healing and detect reinfection. Serological response to treatment should be assessed with the same non-treponemal test (RPR/VDRL); 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up is a common practice in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Sexual contacts should be assessed and treated as appropriate. Screening is advised for pregnant women within the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women with an abortion after week 20 should all be tested for syphilis. The treatment of choice for all forms of syphilis, including pregnant women and PLHIV, is penicillin. Macrolides are ill-advised because of potential resistance.

To describe the knowledge, appropriateness and practices regarding the evidence-based “Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the comprehensive management of gestational syphilis (GS) and congenital syphilis (CS)”.
A descriptive, cross-sectional study including general practitioners, specialists and nurses working at 52 healthcare institutions in the Bolivar Department (Colombia) who provided prenatal control or neonatal care in 2020. Convenience sampling was used. A digital questionnaire was administered to collect sociodemographic information, assessed knowledge, appropriateness and practices in terms of the evidenced-based “Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG)\" mentioned in the objectives. A descriptive analysis followed.
A total of 101 workers were included. There are deficiencies associated with the correct use of the inverse algorithm of diagnosis (48 %) and GS followup (77 %), management of the patient with a history of systemic manifestation allergies (31 %) and treatment of GS (61 %) and CS (10 %). The recommendation of not using the penicillin test in patients with no history of systemic allergies is considered of little benefit (60 %). 23 % of the workers do not use rapid tests and 44 % of the specialists administer syphilis treatment to the sexual partner.
It is important to intensify the training strategies for health personnel with emphasis on nurses and, as a matter of urgency, empower them in syphilis control activities. New and continuous national and regional evaluations of the implementation of these guidelines are needed to assess the indicators associated with the strategy for the elimination of this disease.
describir los conocimientos, la idoneidad y las prácticas respecto a la “Guía de práctica clínica (GPC) basada en la evidencia para la atención integral de la sífilis gestacional (SG) y congénita (SC)”.
estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Incluyó médicos generales, especialistas y enfermeras que laboraban en 52 instituciones de salud en el departamento de Bolívar (Colombia) y realizan el control prenatal o la atención al neonato en el 2020. Muestreo por conveniencia. Se aplicó cuestionario digital que recolectó información sociodemográfica; evaluó conocimientos, idoneidad y prácticas sobre la \"Guía de práctica clínica (GPC)\" mencionada en los objetivos. Se hace análisis descriptivo.
se incluyeron 101 trabajadores. Hay deficiencias relacionadas con la aplicación correcta del algoritmo inverso de diagnóstico (48 %) y seguimiento de SG (77 %), manejo de la paciente con antecedentes de alergias de manifestaciones sistémicas (31 %) y tratamiento de la SG (61 %) y SC (10 %). La recomendación de no aplicar prueba de penicilina en pacientes sin antecedentes de alergias sistémicas se considera poco útil (60 %). El 23 % de los trabajadores no emplea las pruebas rápidas y el 44 % de los especialistas da tratamiento para sífilis al compañero sexual.
es importante intensificar las estrategias de capacitación en el personal de salud con énfasis en el personal de enfermería y, de manera urgente, empoderar a este personal en las actividades relacionadas con el control de la sífilis. Se requiere hacer nuevas y continúas evaluaciones a nivel nacional y regional de la implementación de esta guía que permitan evaluar los indicadores que contiene la estrategia de eliminación de esta enfermedad.

(1) Background: Maternal syphilis (MS) and congenital syphilis (CS) are serious public health problems worldwide due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. (2) Objective: Evaluating the applicability of Clinical Protocols and Treatment Guidelines on case incidence trends in Brazil and Portugal. (3) Methods: The review was done through bibliographic research in two public databases and government websites from both countries, published between 2007 and 2022. All guidelines that contained CS and MS were selected. (4) Results and discussion: After evaluation, we found that Brazil and Portugal have adequate protocols for screening and treating congenital and maternal syphilis. (5) Conclusion: The results suggest that CS and MS incidence are notably higher in Brazil than in Portugal due to economic, cultural, and social disparities and the differences in territory size. Therefore, these demographic and socioeconomic factors could strongly influence efforts to fight against syphilis and thus control the infection.

Guidelines can help healthcare practitioners manage syphilis in pregnancy and prevent perinatal death or disability. We conducted systematic reviews to locate guidance documents describing management of syphilis in pregnancy, 2003-2017. We compared country and regional guidelines with current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We found 64 guidelines with recommendations on management of syphilis in pregnancy representing 128 of the 195 WHO member countries, including the two WHO guidelines published in 2016 and 2017. Of the 62 guidelines, 16 were for countries in Africa, 21 for the Americas, two for Eastern Mediterranean, six for Europe and 17 for Asia or the Pacific. Fifty-seven (92%) guidelines recommended universal syphilis screening in pregnancy, of which 46 (81%) recommended testing at the first antenatal care visit. Also, 46 (81%) recommended repeat testing including 21 guidelines recommended this during the third pregnancy trimester and/or at delivery. Fifty-nine (95%) guidelines recommended benzathine penicillin G (BPG) as the first-line therapy for syphilis in pregnancy, consistent with WHO guidelines. Alternative regimens to BPG were listed in 42 (68%) guidelines, primarily from Africa and Asia; only 20 specified that non-penicillin regimens are not proven-effective in treating the fetus. We identified guidance recommending use of injectable penicillin in exposed infants for 112 countries. Most guidelines recommended universal syphilis testing for pregnant women, repeat testing for high-risk women and treatment of infected women with BPG; but several did not. Updating guidance on syphilis testing and treatment in pregnancy to reflect global norms could prevent congenital syphilis and save newborn lives.