Congenital syphilis again on the scene worldwide. I. The epidemiology and diagnostics of syphilis – namely in pregnant women and in children.

Czech version

Authors: H. Zákoucká; J. Křemen ^1,2; S. Křemenová
Authors‘ workplace: Národní referenční laboratoř pro diagnostiku syfilis Dermatovenerologická klinika VFN Přednosta: Prof. MUDr. Jiří Štork, CSc. ; Ústav biochemie a patobiochemie FNKV přednosta: Doc. MUDr. Petr Čechák, CSc. Odd. molekulární diagnostiky ¹; Ústav biochemie a experimentální onkologie 1. LF UK přednosta: Doc. MUDr. Bohuslav Matouš, CSc. Dermatovenerologická klinika FNKV přednosta: Prof. MUDr. Petr Arenberger, DrSc. ²
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2006; 86(3): 133-138
Category: Of different specialties

Overview

Acquired syphilis is a serious generalized disease that can be transmitted through the placenta, in a small number of cases in the perinatal period, and leads the severe damage of the child. In recent years, in the Czech Republic there has re-occurred an increase in the number of cases of acquired as well as of congenital infection (15). A similar situation has been observed in neighboring European countries at the turn of the millennium (4). A decrease in the number of affected can be brought about only on the basis of sound professional knowledge and through persistent enforcement of mandatory preventive measures. In this first part there are briefly adumbrated etiological relations as well as possible diagnostic options and the current epidemiological situation. The second part, by the third author, shall deal with a review of clinical manifestations of congenital syphilis in relation to the mother’s affection.

Key words:
syphilis – congenital syphilis – incidence – direct tests – indirect tests