%0 Journal Article %T The origin of syphilis-still controversial? %A Marinkovi£¿ £¿ivorad %A £¿uki£¿ Slobodanka %J SANAMED %D 2012 %I Sanamed %X Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by spiral-shaped bacterium, Treponema pallidum The disease has been known under many names during history, and has had a prominent role in history and literature for the last several hundred years. Since its recognition in 15th-century Europe as a new disease, syphilis has been the subject of great mystery and legend. there are three main theories. These are the Columbian theory, the Pre-Columbian theory and the Evolutionary theory. The Columbian theory is most accepted. Syphilis exist nowadays, the World Health Organization estimats that 12 million new cases of syphilis occur each year. While syphilis eradication seems a biologically plausible goal, the major political, cultural, and logistic difficulties involved make it unlikely. Regrettably, rather than become an infection of historical significance, syphilis in the era of HIV continues to challenge researchers and clinicians. %K syphilis %K history of medicine %K sexually-transmitted infection %U http://www.sanamed.rs/sanamed_pdf/sanamed_7_2/THE_ORIGIN_OF_SYPHILIS.pdf