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Syphilis Transmission: Contagion of Bodies and Words
Maurizio Bifulco1, Erika Di Zazzo2,3, Cristina Pagano1
1Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
None:
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (subsp. pallidum), associated with severe symptoms culminating in cardiovascular complications or neurological damage. In the late 15th century, a syphilis epidemic occurred in Europe with an outbreak in Naples that caused numerous deaths and impacted people's lives, shaping their thoughts, behaviors, and language. Here, we traced the origin of syphilis, exploring its social implications and reviewing therapeutic approaches. Using examples of Neapolitan folk sayings, we illustrated how dialects preserve fragments of medical history. In conclusion, besides the impact of epidemics on human health, years later they continue shaping sociocultural traits, including language.
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