Objective To evaluate the distribution of positive reaction of serological antibody for syphilis in the hospitalized patients, in order to provide basis to prevent the cross-infection of syphilis. Methods 36854 clinical specimens from common inpatients were underwent routine treponema pallidum antibody (TP-Ab) screening with ELISA method．All screening positive samples were further tested by gold immnnochromatography method. Results The total positive rate of antibody for syphilis was 1.73％ (639/36854)., the positive rate in males was higher （2.10%, 365/17402）than that of in females 1.41%，274/19452）（P﹤0.05）．There was no statistical difference between the annual syphilis detection rate (P＞0.05). All age groups were found to have syphilis infection．The positive rate of group with age of 0～20, 20～29, 30～39, 40～49, 50～59, 60～69, 70～79 and ≥80 years old were 0.14%, 0.68%, 1.13%, 2.14%, 2.14%, 2.15%, 2.22% and 3.42%, respectively. The positive rate was increased with the increase of ages. The higher positive rate occurred in the department of oncology (4.64%), radiotherapy (3.9%), endocrinology (3.03%), cardiology (2.86%) and urology (2.68%). The positive rate in departments of oncology, endocrinology, cardiology, urology and gastroenterology were higher than total positive rate (P﹤0.05). The positive rate in departments of obstetrical was lower than total positive rate (P﹤0.05). Conclusion There is no rising tendency for syphilis positive rate in past three years. The positive syphilis antibody of inpatients distribute in all clinical department, the screening of serological antibody for syphilis are very important to effectively prevent the cross-infection and self-protection of medical personnel.