Screening for Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adults and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.
OBJECTIVE
In 2014, 19,999 cases of syphilis were reported in the United States. Left untreated, syphilis can progress to late-stage disease in about 15% of persons who are infected. Late-stage syphilis can lead to development of inflammatory lesions throughout the body, which can lead to cardiovascular or organ dysfunction. Syphilis infection also increases the risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV infection.


OBJECTIVE
To update the 2004 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for syphilis infection in nonpregnant adults. Screening for syphilis in pregnant women was updated in a separate recommendation statement in 2009 (A recommendation).


METHODS
The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on screening for syphilis infection in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adults and adolescents, including patients coinfected with other sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV).


RESULTS
The USPSTF found convincing evidence that screening for syphilis infection in asymptomatic, nonpregnant persons at increased risk for infection provides substantial benefit. Accurate screening tests are available to identify syphilis infection in populations at increased risk. Effective treatment with antibiotics can prevent progression to late-stage disease, with small associated harms, providing an overall substantial health benefit.


CONCLUSIONS
The USPSTF recommends screening for syphilis infection in persons who are at increased risk for infection. (A recommendation).
University of California, San Francisco.
Kirsten
K
Bibbins-Domingo
Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
David C
DC
Grossman
University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Susan J
SJ
Curry
Columbia University, Manhattan, New York.
Karina W
KW
Davidson
State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.
John W
JW
Epling
Pima County Department of Health, Tucson, Arizona.
Francisco A R
FA
García
Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
Matthew W
MW
Gillman
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
Diane M
DM
Harper
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Alex R
AR
Kemper
Fairfax Family Practice, Fairfax, Virginia11Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Alex H
AH
Krist
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
Ann E
AE
Kurth
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
C Seth
CS
Landefeld
University of California, Los Angeles.
Carol M
CM
Mangione
University of Washington, Seattle.
William R
WR
Phillips
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Maureen G
MG
Phipps
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Michael P
MP
Pignone
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D026683:Advisory Committees; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology