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Syphilis — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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HardSTIsSyphilisSCE Infectious Diseases

An asymptomatic man has reactive treponemal tests and an RPR of 1:32. His documented syphilis serology was negative 10 months ago, and examination shows no primary or secondary lesions. How should this infection be staged?

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Correct answer: A — Early latent syphilis, based on recent documented seroconversion without clinical signs

BASHH defines early latent syphilis as asymptomatic infection acquired within the preceding two years. The documented negative test 10 months earlier provides the required timing evidence. RPR titre alone does not distinguish primary, secondary and latent stages, and lack of a precise acquisition date does not force a late-latent classification when recent seroconversion is documented.

Reference: BASHH UK guidelines for the management of syphilis 2024: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09564624241280406; BASHH: Syphilis 2024 updated guideline: https://www.bashh.org/resources/25/guidelines_syphilis_2024