Increasing syphilis cases in Japan: A risk posed to blood services

Although the increase in syphilis positives among blood donors may be a reflection of the increase in the general population, the rate of increase was less pronounced among blood donors. Although the increase in the syphilis-positive rate may not affect blood product safety, it would have a significant impact on the number of potential blood donors in the future because the increase was more frequently observed in young donors and new donors, and currently, syphilis-positive individuals are permanently deferred from blood donation. The implementation of effective measures to prevent transmission in the general population is required.