Abstract

Syphilis as is a disease of great chronicity caused by Treponema pallidum. The trends of syphilis among various groups has been showing a significant change from time to time due to changing sex behavioural pattern AIM: This prospective study aims to analyse the epidemiology and trends of syphilis of the patients attending the department of venereology at a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out by screening all the patients who attended the STD OPD with rapid plasma regain (RPR) test and point of care (POC) testing. Complete clinical history and examination of the patients who tested positive were done. All those patients were treated with Inj. Benzathine penicillin and were advised for follow up. RESULTS: A total of 2400 serum samples were received. Out of this 88 were found to be reactive using RPR and 74(84%) were tested positive using point of care testing. Around 50(56.8%) of them were MSMs. 10 patients (11.36%) were co-infected with HIV. The predominant stage of presentation was late latent syphilis(47.5%). All the patients diagnosed with syphilis were treated with 2.4 million units of Inj.Benzathine penicillin and were advised for regular follow up. None of the followed up patients showed any increase in titre. Among the total 88 patients only 28 (31.8%) brought their partner for screening. CONCLUSION: The clinical trend of syphilis has shown a constant change with late latent syphilis being more prevalent in the recent times and also the rising incidence among MSMs due to unsafe sex practices has contributed to the recent upsurge in the incidence of syphilis. Early diagnosis, treatment at the point of diagnosis and follow up along with partner screening may aid in bringing down the burden of syphilis.

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