Epidemiologic trends of syphilis in Qatar 2015-2024: A decade of surveillance data
- 1Communicable Diseases Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- 2Department of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- 3Department of Clinical Medicine, Qatar University Medical College, Doha, Qatar
Abstract
Objectives: The resurgence of syphilis worldwide has drawn renewed attention to gaps in prevention and surveillance. Regional data from the Gulf are limited. This study examined 10-year trends in syphilis in Qatar, analyzed demographic and clinical patterns, and evaluated congenital infection as a marker of antenatal control.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using deidentified laboratory data from Hamad Medical Corporation between 2015 and 2024. Adult cases were defined by a reactive Treponema pallidum antibody and reactive rapid plasma reagin test, whereas congenital cases met the Centers for Disease Control surveillance definitions. Cases were summarized by demographic variables and year, and annual incidence rates were calculated using national population data.
Results: During the 10-year period, 3166 adult cases were confirmed. Incidence rose from 6.77 to 14.16 per 100,000, peaking in 2019 at an average annual increase of 7.9% (incidence rate ratio 1.079, 95% confidence interval 1.038-1.122). Males accounted for 74% of infections, with 41% occurring in adults aged 25-34 years. Non-national residents represented 80% of cases. Early-stage disease predominated (61%). Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection was identified in 156 cases (4.9%), rising from 1.96% in 2016 to 9.29% in 2023. A total of 52 congenital infections were reported, averaging five annually, with national infants representing one-third.
Conclusion: Rising incidence, increasing human immunodeficiency virus co-infection, and continuing congenital infections point to ongoing transmission and incomplete antenatal control. Strengthened surveillance, timely maternal treatment, and integration of public health and laboratory data are essential to sustain progress toward the World Health Organization’s elimination goals.
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BibTeX
@article{alzibdeh2026epidemiologic,
title = {{Epidemiologic trends of syphilis in Qatar 2015-2024: A decade of surveillance data}},
author = {Aseel H. Alzibdeh and Joanne Daghfal and Bashir Ali and Manoj Varghese and Alaaeldin Abdelmajid and Ahmed Zaqout and Muna AlMaslamani},
journal = {IJID Regions},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101020},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101020},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Epidemiologic trends of syphilis in Qatar 2015-2024: A decade of surveillance data
AU - Aseel H. Alzibdeh
AU - Joanne Daghfal
AU - Bashir Ali
AU - Manoj Varghese
AU - Alaaeldin Abdelmajid
AU - Ahmed Zaqout
AU - Muna AlMaslamani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - IJID Regions
DO - 10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101020
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101020
AB - Objectives: The resurgence of syphilis worldwide has drawn renewed attention to gaps in prevention and surveillance. Regional data from the Gulf are limited. This study examined 10-year trends in syphilis in Qatar, analyzed demographic and clinical patterns, and evaluated congenital infection as a marker of antenatal control. Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using deidentified laboratory data from Hamad Medical Corporation between 2015 and 2024. Adult cases were defined by a reactive Treponema pallidum antibody and reactive rapid plasma reagin test, whereas congenital cases met the Centers for Disease Control surveillance definitions. Cases were summarized by demographic variables and year, and annual incidence rates were calculated using national population data. Results: During the 10-year period, 3166 adult cases were confirmed. Incidence rose from 6.77 to 14.16 per 100,000, peaking in 2019 at an average annual increase of 7.9% (incidence rate ratio 1.079, 95% confidence interval 1.038-1.122). Males accounted for 74% of infections, with 41% occurring in adults aged 25-34 years. Non-national residents represented 80% of cases. Early-stage disease predominated (61%). Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection was identified in 156 cases (4.9%), rising from 1.96% in 2016 to 9.29% in 2023. A total of 52 congenital infections were reported, averaging five annually, with national infants representing one-third. Conclusion: Rising incidence, increasing human immunodeficiency virus co-infection, and continuing congenital infections point to ongoing transmission and incomplete antenatal control. Strengthened surveillance, timely maternal treatment, and integration of public health and laboratory data are essential to sustain progress toward the World Health Organization’s elimination goals.
SN - 2772-7076
ER -