Sexually acquired syphilis

Is COVID-19 affecting the epidemiology of STIs? The experience of syphilis in Rome

“…Thus, compared with the first quarter of 2019, in the first quarter of 2020, the number of syphilis diagnoses doubled among PLWH and increased fourfold among MSM, a finding consistent with the epidemic trends highlighted in the literature. [1][2][3] The fear of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may have reduced sexual encounters and led to a genuine decline in STIs. However, we cannot exclude that patients have been postponing their visits because of worries about attending the clinic during the pandemic, as also described for other medical specialities.…”

Primary Syphilis of the Oral Cavity, a Rare Presentation of a Re-Emerging Disease

“…The different stages of syphilis are characterized by a number of notable signs and symptoms [1][2][3][4]. Primary syphilis is the first stage, with an incubation period of about 90 days after sexual contraction of T. pallidum [1][2][3][4]. It is characterized by the formation of chancres at the area of inoculation.…”

“…It is characterized by the formation of chancres at the area of inoculation. Typically, these chancres are painless, well-encircled, indurated ulcers characterized by raised borders [1][2][3][4]. Chancres can vary significantly in clinical manifestation [1].…”

“…In 30-40% of secondary syphilis patients, the mucosa is involved, manifesting in the form of mucous patches, painful ulcerations, and painless maculopapular lesions. As with the primary stage, secondary syphilis is also contagious [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…The extragenital lesions in primary syphilis develop in no more than 14% of affected patients [6][7][8][9].The manifestations of syphilis in the oral cavity often occur at the secondary stage, while rarely occurring in the primary and late stages [4,6]. When the oral cavity is affected at the primary stage, it is usually following oro-genital contact [6][7][8][9].…”