Treatment of syphilis, 1998: Nonpregnant adults

Questions regarding the appropriate therapy for syphilis remain, despite th e many years during which this infection has been subjected to intense scie ntific scrutiny. In an effort to provide guidance for the development of th e 1998 sexually transmitted disease (STD) treatment guidelines of the Cente rs for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these questions were outlined and an effort to answer them was made. Articles relating to syphilis treatm ent published after the previous revision of the CDC STD treatment guidelin es (in 1993) and by the end of 1996 were identified with use of MEDLINE. Ab stracts from relevant scientific meetings held during that time were also e xamined. Reference was also made to older literature, and expert opinion wa s sought. Conclusions were reached and recommendations were made on the bas is of published evidence wherever possible.