TY - JOUR
T1 - Update on syphilis in pregnancy
T2 - marrying basic science advances and clinical perseverance to solve an ancient public health problem
AU - Adhikari, Emily H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/4/1
Y1 - 2024/4/1
N2 - Purpose of review While the clinical disease of syphilis, its consequences in pregnancy, and its sensitivity to penicillin treatment have remained relatively unchanged for a century or more, new technologies and basic discoveries in syphilis research have translated into tangible advances in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The purpose of this review is to help the reader understand some of the recent relevant scientific publications on syphilis and its causative organism in a clinical obstetric context. Recent findings Rates of adult and congenital syphilis have risen dramatically in the last decade despite public health efforts. Penicillin shortages and lack of screening or adequate treatment have all contributed to global disease burden. Advances in genomic and microbiological characterization of this spirochete have led to new developments in serologic and molecular diagnosis as well as evaluation of potential vaccine candidates. Until a syphilis vaccine is available, substance use disorders and lack of screening in pregnancy are associated with increased congenital syphilis, and these challenges will require novel solutions to fully address this public health crisis. Summary Addressing the burden of congenital syphilis demands that obstetricians stay well informed of new tools and resources for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of syphilis now and in the future.
AB - Purpose of review While the clinical disease of syphilis, its consequences in pregnancy, and its sensitivity to penicillin treatment have remained relatively unchanged for a century or more, new technologies and basic discoveries in syphilis research have translated into tangible advances in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The purpose of this review is to help the reader understand some of the recent relevant scientific publications on syphilis and its causative organism in a clinical obstetric context. Recent findings Rates of adult and congenital syphilis have risen dramatically in the last decade despite public health efforts. Penicillin shortages and lack of screening or adequate treatment have all contributed to global disease burden. Advances in genomic and microbiological characterization of this spirochete have led to new developments in serologic and molecular diagnosis as well as evaluation of potential vaccine candidates. Until a syphilis vaccine is available, substance use disorders and lack of screening in pregnancy are associated with increased congenital syphilis, and these challenges will require novel solutions to fully address this public health crisis. Summary Addressing the burden of congenital syphilis demands that obstetricians stay well informed of new tools and resources for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of syphilis now and in the future.
KW - pregnancy
KW - syphilis
KW - Treponema pallidum
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U2 - 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000939
DO - 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000939
M3 - Review article
C2 - 38205786
AN - SCOPUS:85186747689
SN - 1040-872X
VL - 36
SP - 67
EP - 74
JO - Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
IS - 2
ER -