title: Dilemmas in the management of syphilis.
abstract: A recent U.S. survey demonstrated wide variation in the management of syphilis. 25/31 (73.5%) Consultants and Specialist Registrars in Infectious Diseases and Genitourinary Medicine, in Ireland were surveyed. 23 (92%) treat more than 50 HIV patients a year, 18 (72%) had been consulted on a patient with syphilis in the last year. With secondary syphilis, 13 (52%) give 3 doses of benzathine penicillin, while 10 (40%) give one, no statistical difference between consultants and SpRs (p = 0.9). Significant variation in the investigation and management of syphilis in Ireland was identified. There is a need for the development of Irish national guidelines on the management of syphilis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8. eavan@esatclear.ie
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mulcahy
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D006176:Gynecology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D055552:Infectious Disease Medicine; D007494:Ireland; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014572:Urology