Infectious syphilis.

Abstract

Optimistic predictions about the extinction of syphilis have proven to be premature. During the beginning of the decade, the reported numbers of infectious syphilis cases were the highest in 40 years. Despite numerous publications about syphilis, the disease continues to challenge clinicians with its protean cutaneous and systemic manifestations. Co-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus does not appear to significantly influence the stage at presentation, clinical course or serologic positivity in most patients, but coinfected patients may be at risk of developing neurosyphilis and late complications even after administration of adequate treatment.