Serological evolution in early syphilis

Abstract

Introduction: The evolution of syphilis after treatment could be affected by different factors, for example HIV. In consequence, HIV positive patients are sometimes treated with more doses of penicillin (PBG). The aim of the study is to describe and compare the serological evolution by different factors in patients with early syphilis in Barcelona.

Methods: The serological control was made over the following year. A time analysis was performed through the study of Kaplan- Meier curves.

Results: The serological control was made in 208 patients, 42.5% of whom were HIV-positive. In a Kaplan-Meier curve the median of days needed to observe the cure was 99 [97-105] without differences depending on HIV, previous syphilis, stage or RPR titters. A better evolution was observed in patients treated with doxycycline P=.02.

Conclusions: The serological evolution is similar in HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients treated according to current recommendations, observing the cure at 3 month after treatment.

Keywords: Early syphilis; Evolución serológica; Human immunodeficiency virus; Serological evolution; Sífilis precoz; Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.