Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Apr;12(2):103-9.
doi: 10.1071/SH14174.

Syphilis transmission: a review of the current evidence

Juliet E Stoltey  1 , Stephanie E Cohen  2
Affiliations

Syphilis transmission: a review of the current evidence

Juliet E Stoltey et al. Sex Health. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Syphilis remains widespread worldwide, with increasing rates among men who have sex with men. This paper reviews available evidence regarding syphilis transmission, including data on: sexual transmission (transmission probability per sexual partnership), vertical transmission, transmission via blood products and organ donation, and other rare modes of transmission. In addition, host susceptibility to syphilis infection is discussed. Syphilis screening and treatment, condoms and risk-reduction counselling and how they modify syphilis transmission dynamics are considered.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

None declared.

References

    1. World Health Organization. Global incidence and prevalence of selected curable sexually transmitted infections – 2008–2012. Available online at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/75181/1/9789241503839_eng.pdf [verified 20 January 2015]
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Syphilis - CDC fact sheet. 2014 Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis-detailed.htm [verified 24 July 2014]
    1. Fenton KA. A multilevel approach to understanding the resurgence and evolution of infectious syphilis in Western Europe. Euro Surveill. 2004;9:3–4. - PubMed
    1. Fenton KA, Breban R, Vardavas R, Okano JT, Martin T, Aral S, et al. Infectious syphilis in high-income settings in the 21st century. Lancet Infect Dis. 2008;8:244–53. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(08)70065-3. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Garnett GP. The transmission dynamics of sexually transmitted infections. In: Holmes KK, Sparling PF, Stamm WE, Piot P, Wasserheit JN, Corey L, et al., editors. Sexually transmitted diseases. 4. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2008. pp. 27–39.