Previous syphilis infection attenuates symptoms in successive exposures: Study

Results highlighted the following facts.

• 651 individuals had one (n = 482), two (n = 121) or three or more (n = 48) episodes of syphilis.
• The proportion of individuals whose index episode was early latent stage was significantly higher in those with ≥3 syphilis episodes; this relationship was reduced to a trend when rate of testing was taken into account.
• Adjusted odds (aOR) of detection of T. pallidum DNA in blood or rRNA in CSF at the index episode were significantly lower in those with previous syphilis (0.17 [95% CI, 0.09–0.31] and 0.15 [95% CI, 0.07–0.35]).
• The aOR for neurosyphilis at the index episode was also significantly lower in individuals with previous syphilis (0.54 [95% CI, 0.34–0.87]).

While some studies have suggested that individuals with a previous episode of syphilis are more likely to be asymptomatic with a subsequent episode, whether this finding reflects increased serological testing, acquired immune responses, or both has remained a topic of debate. The finding that immune responses as a consequence of previous syphilis could alter the clinical manifestations of T. pallidum reinfection suggests that an effective syphilis vaccine may be possible, a goal that has thus far not been achieved.

For full article follow the link: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab287

Primary source: Clinical Infectious Diseases