Screening for Syphilis: Brief Update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Syphilis is a systemic infectious disease caused by sexual or congenital transmission of the bacterium Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum). Syphilis causes a variety of symptoms corresponding to stages of infection (primary, secondary, tertiary) and no symptoms during latent stages. Late-stage syphilis includes gummatous, cardiovascular, and neurological complications that can lead to significant disability and premature death. Syphilis is associated with HIV infection. Congenital syphilis results in fetal or perinatal death, as well as disease complications in surviving newborns.