Syphilis in Arkansas adolescents: a high-risk infection for a high-risk group.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum. Transmission of the organism occurs with oral, vaginal, or anal sex due to direct contact with an open syphilitic sore. For many years thought to be in decline, syphilis numbers began to increase in 2001, especially in the subpopulation of men having sex with men (MSM). This case report highlights the vulnerability not only of this at-risk group, but minority adolescents as well.