Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: acquired syphilis

The Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care of People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2020, includes updates concerning acquired syphilis. The document comprises rapid test use, safety and efficacy of benzathine benzylpenicillin, case follow-up, neurosyphilis clinical and laboratory management, approaching sex partners, assistance and monitoring of diagnosed pregnant women, and syphilis and HIV co-infection specificities, as well as a case notification summary. Health managers and professionals must be continuously trained so as to integrate care and surveillance, to strengthen actions for efficient control of syphilis, to broaden the search for sex partners, and to expand access of most vulnerable populations to health services. Most people with syphilis are asymptomatic; this contributes to the maintenance of the transmission chain. Without adequate treatment of pregnant women with syphilis, severe consequences can occur, such as miscarriage, prematurity, low birth weight, natimortality, and congenital syphilis.