Epidemiological and clinical features of syphilis in the 21st century: A seven-year observational retrospective study of outpatients

Syphilis represents a current and emerging public health problem. The number of newly diagnosed cases of syphilis ranges from 5 to 12 million worldwide each year, albeit with differences in distribution and trend. In this study we evaluated the trend of syphilis cases in a tertiary university hospital of Southern Italy to determine whether the clinical manifestations and/or risk factors have changed over time in relation to the patient's demographic and behavioural characteristics. In our experience we observed an increase in the number of cases of syphilis especially among young people and few subjects undergo screening after at-risk sexual intercourse and/or upon medical advice. About syphilis new emerging features were observed. There was a need to pay more attention to screening, prevention and information for this pathology. •Increase in cases of Syphilis especially among young people.•Reduced syphilis screening activity.•The need to increase screening, prevention and information for this disease.