Trends of syphilis seroprevalence at a tertiary care center in New Delhi, India: A 10-year analysis

Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2023 Jan-Jun;44(1):20-23. doi: 10.4103/ijstd.ijstd_77_22. Epub 2023 Jun 6.

Abstract

Objectives: Syphilis has been called the great mimicker or the great imitator due to its myriad of clinical presentations. Despite strenuous concerted efforts toward the elimination of syphilis, it still remains a goal to be achieved. During recent years, many different trends of syphilis have been reported from around the globe.

Methods: A retrospective observational clinico-investigative study was carried out to analyze the 10-year trends of syphilis at one of the largest public sector hospitals in India.

Results and conclusion: Both venereal disease research laboratory and Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination assay positivity rates showed a significant declining trend from 2007 to 2016, reflecting the success of the National Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention and Control Program.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Treponema pallidum hemagglutination; seroprevalence; sexually transmitted infection; syphilis; trends of syphilis.