Prevalence of Syphilis in the new diagnosis of HIV and reinfection during the period 2010-2018

Background: the prevalence of syphilis in new HIV diagnoses is an increasingly affirmed reality in recent years thanks to the same methods of transmission and the lesser use of precautions by HIV-positive individuals especially among MSM than heterosexuals due to the lower risk of transmitting HIV when they are on antiretroviral therapy. Methods: analysis of data relating to patients with a new diagnosis of HIV infection coming to the Infectious and Tropical Disease Clinic of the University Hospital of Modena in the period from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2018. Results: the results showed that 71.2% of the new HIV diagnoses were distributed among males and 28.8% among females, for a total of 500 new diagnoses. Within these, it was found that 100 were positive for syphilis and between them the majority were males (91.0%). It was found that the higher incidence of syphilis diagnosis on HIV positive individuals was mostly among MSM (61%). Conclusion: this study showed that the continuous advice based on safe sexual behaviors, condom use, early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental especially in risk groups in order to limit both transmission and complications of HIV and syphilis.