[Syphilis. Part 2: Laboratory diagnostics, therapy and prevention].

Sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis are a great problem for public health systems worldwide. Syphilis can be curatively treated with penicillin after early diagnosis, competent therapy and consistent monitoring. The fundamentals of syphilis diagnostics are direct and serological methods for pathogen detection. Prevention of syphilis includes exposition prophylaxis and in particular the routine use of condoms and the consistent education of affected persons and their sexual contacts.