Syphilis Resurgent

Abstract

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Dr Mary Schramm was asked by the editor to provide this editorid to shure her unique long-tern experience of the freafntent of syphilis during pregnuncy with readers. Our recent editorial policy is to highlight important sentences in papers in bold print. This paper contains so many punchlines, mostly objecrirve but some interestingly subjective, that readers are advised to read it all with cure. since there were far too many important passages for bold-print emphasis of all. This editorial expands the report 'Syphilis in Fiji'provided by DrMary Schmmm and published in rhe Pacific Health Dialog 1996; 3 : 2: 216-219.Syphilis has been known to the Western world for over 500 years. Until penicillin was applied to its treatment in pregnancy 53 years ago (I), it was a major cause of late abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal death.Thereafter, for about 40 years, syphilis ('big pox') and other treponemal diseases were moving the way 1. Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

An intervention study to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes as a result of syphilis in Mozambique

“…Some authors in diVerent settings such as Canada, 19 France, 20 the United States, 27 Fiji, 28 and South Africa 29 are questioning the eYcacy of penicillin in a single dose and are recommending two to three doses. A recent prospective study performed by Alexander et al 30 concluded that the CDC recommended regimens are eVective, but the highest risk of fetal treatment failure exists with maternal secondary syphilis.…”