Gaspari Valeria, Filippini Andrea, Orioni Gionathan, Mussi Martina, Carpanese Miriam Anna, La Placa Michelangelo, Piraccini Bianca Maria, Zengarini Corrado
Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Microorganisms. 2025 Jan 27;13(2):285. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13020285.
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.
梅毒在全球范围内再度流行，尤其是在发达国家的城市地区。本研究分析了意大利博洛尼亚一家性传播疾病中心十年间的梅毒病例，与国家和欧洲数据进行比较，研究新诊断病例、再感染情况以及对高危亚组的影响。根据世界卫生组织的指南，对2009年至2019年的数据进行了回顾性审查，包括一期、二期、早期潜伏、晚期潜伏和不确定梅毒病例。三期梅毒病例和仅血清学诊断的病例被排除。使用IBM SPSS Statistics 26进行统计分析，采用逻辑回归和卡方检验。共识别出1086例梅毒病例，从2009年的43例增至2019年的157例，十年间增长了265%。2019年，再感染病例占病例总数的23.7%，主要发生在男男性行为者（MSM，占82.1%）中，HIV合并感染率为37.6%。受影响最严重的年龄组为45岁以上。博洛尼亚的梅毒发病率一直超过欧洲平均水平，且年龄中位数较高，这表明存在独特的传播模式和公共卫生挑战。男男性行为者和老年人中的高再感染率凸显了针对性公共卫生举措的必要性。病例的急剧增加凸显了博洛尼亚人口动态和暴露前预防（PrEP）使用增加等潜在影响。有针对性的公共卫生努力，特别是针对高危群体的努力，对于有效应对这一挑战至关重要。
