Acquired secondary syphilis in preschool children by nonsexual close contact

Sex Transm Dis. 2012 Aug;39(8):588-90. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3182515764.

Abstract

Children may acquire syphilis as a consequence of nonsexual close contact if family members or caregivers are infected by active syphilis. We described 3 cases of acquired secondary syphilis in Chinese preschool children who contracted the disease from their caregivers to draw attention to the potential for syphilis patients to transmit Treponema pallidum to the children they are caretakers for.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Caregivers*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Extramarital Relations*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Syphilis / etiology
  • Syphilis / transmission*
  • Treponema pallidum / immunology
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, secondary