Abstract Background The Roma ethnic group is the largest and most marginalized minority in Europe, believed to be vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. Aim The purpose of the study was to investigate frequency and characteristics of gonorrhea and syphilis among the Roma population in Belgrade. Methods Data from the City Institute for Skin and Venereal Diseases to which all gonorrhea and syphilis cases are referred were analyzed. Results During the period of 2010–2014 sexually transmitted infections were more frequent among Roma than in rest of Belgrade population. Average percentages of Roma among all reported subjects with syphilis and those with gonorrhea were 9.6% and 13.5%, respectively, while the percentage of Roma in the total Belgrade population was about 1.6%. Roma with syphilis and gonorrhea were more frequently men (75%), most frequently aged 20–29 years (43.4%), never married (64.5%), with elementary school or less (59.2%), unemployed (80.3%), and heterosexual (89.5%). Among Roma 10.5% were sex workers and 68.4% did not know the source of their infection. Significant differences between Roma cases and other cases in Belgrade in all characteristics observed were in agreement with differences between Roma population and the total population of Serbia. Conclusion The present study confirmed the vulnerability of the Roma population to sexually transmitted infections.

At the beginning of a new millennium, syphilis incidence has been increasing worldwide, occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The clinical features of primary syphilis among MSM is described, a case-note review of the primary syphilis (PS) patients who attended the Institute of Skin and Venereal Diseases. The diagnosis was assessed based upon the clinical features and positive syphilis serology tests. Among 25 patients with early syphilis referred during 2010, PS was diagnosed in a total of 13 cases. In all patients, unprotected oral sex was the only possible route of transmission, and two out of 13 patients had HIV co-infection. Overall, 77% of men presented with atypical penile manifestation. The VDRL test was positive with low titers. The numerous atypical clinical presentations of PS emphasize the importance of continuing education of non-experienced physicians, especially in countries with lower reported incidence of syphilis.