Maternal Syphilis of Unknown Duration: Birth Outcomes in an Immediate Test-and-Treat Cohort often Receiving Fewer than Three Doses of Benzathine Penicillin G

Authors

• Chibuzor M. Babalola, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
• Remco P. Peters, Foundation for Professional Development, East London, South Africa
• Mandisa M. Mdingi, Foundation for Professional Development, East London, South Africa
• Christina A. Muzny, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
• Christopher M. Taylor, LSU Health Sciences Center – New OrleansFollow
• Msindisi Gqirana, Foundation for Professional Development, East London, South Africa
• Andrew Medina-Marino, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
• Jeffrey D. Klausner, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-21-2026

Publication Title

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

In a South African antenatal cohort, an immediate test-and-treat model for syphilis of unknown duration showed that adverse birth outcomes-including stillbirth and preterm birth-were similar between women without syphilis and those treated with penicillin, regardless of completion of the three-dose regimen. Further studies are needed to evaluate optimal treatment strategies in pregnancy.

First Page

1

Last Page

9

PubMed ID

42628506

Rights

© 2026 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association. All rights reserved.

Recommended Citation

Babalola, Chibuzor M.; Peters, Remco P.; Mdingi, Mandisa M.; Muzny, Christina A.; Taylor, Christopher M.; Gqirana, Msindisi; Medina-Marino, Andrew; and Klausner, Jeffrey D., "Maternal Syphilis of Unknown Duration: Birth Outcomes in an Immediate Test-and-Treat Cohort often Receiving Fewer than Three Doses of Benzathine Penicillin G" (2026). School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications. 679.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/sogs_facpubs/679
10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002396