Current status of acquired syphilis: A hospital-based 5-year study

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infection shows regional variations. Though a rising trend of prevalence of viral STI s has been observed, syphilis still continues to remain a commonly diagnosed STI.

To study the current status of acquired syphilis in a tertiary care hospital.

Retrospective analysis of all the cases of acquired syphilis registered in our hospital from 2005 to 2009 was done. Complete epidemiological, clinical, and investigational data were recorded and assessed.

Total of 570 cases attended the STI clinic from year 2005 to 2009. 42 (7.36%) cases were diagnosed as syphilis. There were 32 (74%) males and 11 (26%) were females. 25 (60%) were married. Only two patients were less than 15 years of age. Primary syphilis was diagnosed in 21 (50%), secondary in 10 (24%), and latent in 11 (26%) cases. Two (9.5%) of primary syphilis showed multiple chancre. Concomitant primary chancre and lesions of secondary syphilis were seen in 2 (20%) patients. Secondary syphilis presented as condyloma lata (50%), maculo-papular rash (40%), and lues maligna in one patient who was HIV positive. Mixed infection was diagnosed in eight patients of which herpes genitalis was the commonest. Two patients were serologically positive for HIV.

Incidence of syphilis had shown a constant trend over last 5 years. In lieu of change in trends of sexual practices, condyloma was the commonest presentation of secondary syphilis. Pustular syphilis was observed in association with HIV and could be a marker of the immune-deficient state.