The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis
Syphilis has resurged globally, especially in urban areas of developed countries. This study analyses syphilis cases over a decade at an STD centre in Bologna, Italy, examining new diagnoses, reinfections, and impacts on high-risk subgroups, compared with national and European data. Data from 2009–2...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/285 |
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| author | Valeria Gaspari Andrea Filippini Gionathan Orioni Martina Mussi Miriam Anna Carpanese Michelangelo La Placa Bianca Maria Piraccini Corrado Zengarini |
| author_facet | Valeria Gaspari Andrea Filippini Gionathan Orioni Martina Mussi Miriam Anna Carpanese Michelangelo La Placa Bianca Maria Piraccini Corrado Zengarini |
| author_sort | Valeria Gaspari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Syphilis has resurged globally, especially in urban areas of developed countries. This study analyses syphilis cases over a decade at an STD centre in Bologna, Italy, examining new diagnoses, reinfections, and impacts on high-risk subgroups, compared with national and European data. Data from 2009–2019 were retrospectively reviewed, including primary, secondary, early latent, late latent, and indeterminate syphilis cases, as per WHO guidelines. Cases of tertiary syphilis and serological-only diagnoses were excluded. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 with logistic regression and chi-square tests. A total of 1086 syphilis cases were identified, rising from 43 cases in 2009 to 157 in 2019—a 265% increase over the decade. In 2019, reinfections accounted for 23.7% of cases, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM, 82.1%), with an HIV co-infection rate of 37.6%. The most affected age group was over 45 years. Bologna’s syphilis rates consistently exceeded European averages, with a higher median age, indicating unique transmission patterns and public health challenges. The high reinfection rate among MSM and older individuals emphasises the need for targeted public health initiatives. The sharp rise in cases highlights potential influences such as Bologna’s population dynamics and the increased use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Focused public health efforts, particularly on high-risk groups, are critical to address this challenge effectively. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a42ca0eb65d746fd8d6f81c421e199a6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-a42ca0eb65d746fd8d6f81c421e199a62025-08-20T03:12:19ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113228510.3390/microorganisms13020285The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective AnalysisValeria Gaspari0Andrea Filippini1Gionathan Orioni2Martina Mussi3Miriam Anna Carpanese4Michelangelo La Placa5Bianca Maria Piraccini6Corrado Zengarini7Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDermatology Unit, AUSL Romagna, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalySyphilis has resurged globally, especially in urban areas of developed countries. This study analyses syphilis cases over a decade at an STD centre in Bologna, Italy, examining new diagnoses, reinfections, and impacts on high-risk subgroups, compared with national and European data. Data from 2009–2019 were retrospectively reviewed, including primary, secondary, early latent, late latent, and indeterminate syphilis cases, as per WHO guidelines. Cases of tertiary syphilis and serological-only diagnoses were excluded. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 with logistic regression and chi-square tests. A total of 1086 syphilis cases were identified, rising from 43 cases in 2009 to 157 in 2019—a 265% increase over the decade. In 2019, reinfections accounted for 23.7% of cases, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM, 82.1%), with an HIV co-infection rate of 37.6%. The most affected age group was over 45 years. Bologna’s syphilis rates consistently exceeded European averages, with a higher median age, indicating unique transmission patterns and public health challenges. The high reinfection rate among MSM and older individuals emphasises the need for targeted public health initiatives. The sharp rise in cases highlights potential influences such as Bologna’s population dynamics and the increased use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Focused public health efforts, particularly on high-risk groups, are critical to address this challenge effectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/285syphilistreponemasurveillanceinfectionreinfectionrates |
| spellingShingle | Valeria Gaspari Andrea Filippini Gionathan Orioni Martina Mussi Miriam Anna Carpanese Michelangelo La Placa Bianca Maria Piraccini Corrado Zengarini The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis Microorganisms syphilis treponema surveillance infection reinfection rates |
| title | The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_full | The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_fullStr | The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_short | The Rise of Syphilis Infections and Reinfections over a Decade (2009–2019) in the Bolognese Area: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_sort | rise of syphilis infections and reinfections over a decade 2009 2019 in the bolognese area a retrospective analysis |
| topic | syphilis treponema surveillance infection reinfection rates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/285 |
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