Syphilis: clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.
Review
Overview
abstract
Clinical manifestations of primary, secondary, congenital, and late syphilis are described. Darkfield examination is the most important laboratory method for diagnosis of primary syphilis. The VDRL and FTA-ABS are the most common serologic tests used for diagnosis and follow-up. Penicillin remains the treatment of choice in nonallergenic patients.