Syphilis Reactivity in Blood Donors: Analysis in Blood Banks from Two Cities in the Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is a sexually transmitted infection considered a global public health problem due to its silent course and potential severe complications if not treated promptly.

Objective: To describe serological reactivity to syphilis among blood donors from two cities in the Colombian Caribbean between 2021 and 2023.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted using secondary data from participating blood banks. Donors with reactive syphilis tests were included, and sociodemographic variables as well as coinfections with other infectious markers were analyzed. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.

Results: A total of 904 donors with reactive syphilis tests were identified: 42% in Cartagena and 58% in Sincelejo. Of these, 77.6% were male, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.008). The median age was 38 years, with the 29–39 age group being the most prevalent. Annual positivity rates exceeded the national average throughout the study period. Coinfection with other markers was found in 9.6% of cases, with hepatitis B virus being the most frequent.

Conclusion: Syphilis reactivity among blood donors in the Colombian Caribbean was higher in men and consistently above the national average. Although it was not possible to differentiate between active and past infection, the findings help identify key populations and guide prevention strategies for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.