In an undated image from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, treponema pallidum, the bacteria that causes syphilis.
Bicillin is the only recommended treatment for pregnant women who are infected and is very effective at preventing transmission to the fetus if provided early enough. Congenital syphilis has a high fatality rate and can otherwise cause preterm birth and severe birth defects. Bicillin is also used to manage rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever, which are particular health risks, albeit uncommon, for children. Multiple antibiotic alternatives are available for these conditions, according to Dr. Meg Doherty, director of global HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections programs at the World Health Organization.
Most drug companies have not been particularly keen on developing antibiotics, in part because the profit margin for this class of drugs is typically far lower than the next blockbuster drug that could be worth billions of dollars. Harvey also denounced the Biden administration for agreeing in the debt ceiling deal to slash $400 million from the CDC’s budget for STI prevention.