Which patient groups have the highest incidence of endemic syphilis?

Answer

Endemic syphilis can affect anyone. Because it is endemic in certain areas of the world, the disease mostly affects ethnic groups found in those regions.

Both sexes are equally affected, especially in the pediatric population. This varies with the geographic region. In adults, however, women are slightly more susceptible, probably because they are the primary interactants with children, either as caregivers or during breastfeeding.

Children aged 2-15 years are the most commonly affected by endemic syphilis, with 25% of cases occurring before age 6 years and 55% of cases occurring before age 16 years. The remaining 20% of cases occur in adults who are in close contact with children who are infected.^[5]

The incidence of endemic syphilis has increased among HIV-infected men in same-sex relationships. A study at a hospital in Malaga, Spain, showed an increase from 1.2% in 2007 to 7.8% in 2012.^[6]

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Primary stage lesions.
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Author

Hassan I Galadari, MD Assistant Professor, Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates (UAE) University, UAE

Hassan I Galadari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Medical Student Association/Foundation, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Asian Dermatological Association, Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery International League, Emirates Medical Association, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, International Society of Dermatology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ibrahim Galadari, MD, MB, BCh, MSc Professor of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University

Ibrahim Galadari, MD, MB, BCh, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD Dermatologic/Mohs Surgeon, The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology

Michael J Wells, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Craig A Elmets, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Chemoprevention Program Director, Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB Skin Diseases Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine

Craig A Elmets, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: University of Alabama at Birmingham; University of Alabama Health Services Foundation<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Ferndale Laboratories<br/>Received research grant from: NIH, Veterans Administration, California Grape Assn<br/>Received consulting fee from Astellas for review panel membership; Received salary from Massachusetts Medical Society for employment; Received salary from UpToDate for employment. for: Astellas.

Which patient groups have the highest incidence of endemic syphilis?

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