Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a public health crisis that significantly impacted sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly syphilis. However, data on syphilis incidence during the pandemic remains inconsistent globally. Key groups affected include women of reproductive age, pregnant wom...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1205 |
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| author | Natalia Welc Wiktoria Frącz Rafał Olejniczak Ryszard Żaba Kevin Kavanagh |
| author_facet | Natalia Welc Wiktoria Frącz Rafał Olejniczak Ryszard Żaba Kevin Kavanagh |
| author_sort | Natalia Welc |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a public health crisis that significantly impacted sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly syphilis. However, data on syphilis incidence during the pandemic remains inconsistent globally. Key groups affected include women of reproductive age, pregnant women, individuals living with HIV, and men who have sex with men (MSM). This paper reviews available literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to analyse the pandemic’s influence on congenital and gestational syphilis, focusing on high-risk populations. We discuss the pandemic’s impact on the incidence of gestational and congenital syphilis, including changes in screening and treatment protocols. Additionally, we examine alterations in syphilis prevalence and testing among people living with HIV and MSM, including implications observed in blood donors. The findings underscore the consequences of impaired STI diagnostics for public health. We emphasise the need for uninterrupted access to diagnostics and treatment during public health crises. To prevent rising syphilis rates post-pandemic, it is crucial to implement robust education and accessible testing measures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-092e7c1e8ea14fb78c6e80f62fedc683 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-092e7c1e8ea14fb78c6e80f62fedc6832025-08-20T03:16:35ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-05-01136120510.3390/microorganisms13061205Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative ReviewNatalia Welc0Wiktoria Frącz1Rafał Olejniczak2Ryszard Żaba3Kevin Kavanagh4Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61701 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Physiotherapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61701 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Urology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, 65417 Zielona Gora, PolandDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61701 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Biology, Maynooth University, W23 F2K8 Maynooth, IrelandThe COVID-19 pandemic triggered a public health crisis that significantly impacted sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly syphilis. However, data on syphilis incidence during the pandemic remains inconsistent globally. Key groups affected include women of reproductive age, pregnant women, individuals living with HIV, and men who have sex with men (MSM). This paper reviews available literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to analyse the pandemic’s influence on congenital and gestational syphilis, focusing on high-risk populations. We discuss the pandemic’s impact on the incidence of gestational and congenital syphilis, including changes in screening and treatment protocols. Additionally, we examine alterations in syphilis prevalence and testing among people living with HIV and MSM, including implications observed in blood donors. The findings underscore the consequences of impaired STI diagnostics for public health. We emphasise the need for uninterrupted access to diagnostics and treatment during public health crises. To prevent rising syphilis rates post-pandemic, it is crucial to implement robust education and accessible testing measures.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1205syphilisCOVID-19pandemiccongenital syphilisgestational syphilismen who have sex with men |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Welc Wiktoria Frącz Rafał Olejniczak Ryszard Żaba Kevin Kavanagh Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review Microorganisms syphilis COVID-19 pandemic congenital syphilis gestational syphilis men who have sex with men |
| title | Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syphilis in Susceptible Populations: Men Who Have Sex with Men, People Living with HIV, and Patients with Gestational and Congenital Syphilis—A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | analysis of the effect of the covid 19 pandemic on syphilis in susceptible populations men who have sex with men people living with hiv and patients with gestational and congenital syphilis a narrative review |
| topic | syphilis COVID-19 pandemic congenital syphilis gestational syphilis men who have sex with men |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1205 |
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