title: Endemic syphilis in Europe.
abstract: Nonvenereal syphilis (endemic syphilis) has existed in Europe since the 16th century. Main characteristics of the disease are its presence for a longer time in a specific territory and its transmission regardless of age and sex, mainly extragenitally in unsanitary living conditions. Nonvenereal syphilis was described under different names in almost all regions of Europe. The primary genital chancre was absent, and lesions were most frequently found in the mouth and affected mostly children. The disease spread in rural areas with poor economic and hygienic conditions. The disease was eradicated in Europe in the 20th century, but it is still present in some rural regions of the Arabian Peninsula, Southwest Asia, and North Africa.
authors.affiliation: Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences, Praška 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: jasna.lipozencic@zg.htnet.hr.
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lipozenčić
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Šalata 4, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marinović
authors.affiliation: Retired from University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rijeka University Hospital Center, Buzetska 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
authors.forename: Franjo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000266:history*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history*