Abstract

KANTOR, Isabel N.. Syphilis in Argentina. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2023, vol.83, n.6, pp.966-971. ISSN 0025-7680.

Syphilis is a disease preventable through sexual pro tection barriers, and curable with a simple treatment. Despite this, between 2010 and 2019, its incidence al most tripled in Argentina, reaching 56.1/100 000. The most affected are young people (15-24 years old), with a higher percentage of women, especially among pregnant women, in whom it increased from 2.3% to 5.8%, with a peak of 7.7% between 15 and 24 years old. Cases of secondary or tertiary syphilis, detected by control tests, are on the rise.

The increase in syphilis is linked to HIV. For this reason, rapid detection tests must be carried out jointly at the first level of care, which facilitates access to the diagnosis and treatment of positive cases, with the cor responding guidance and control.

Treatment with penicillin, for which no resistance has been found, is the key component of control. Doxycillin is also used (not in pregnant women), or ceftriaxone. The resistance of Treponema pallidum to azithromycin is increasing, so its use should be avoided.

In 2022, 696 cases of congenital syphilis were re ported. The national rate is 1.3 per 1000 live births. The majority of reported cases come from the public sector. Maternal syphilis is, in low-income areas, the most com mon cause of stillbirths.

Strict application of existing regulations, strength ening the primary care system, and prevention during pregnancy can contribute to controlling and eliminating the syphilis problem in Argentina.

Keywords : Re-emerging infectious disease; Syphilis; Treponema pallidum; Argentina.

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