Objective To investigate infection status of latent syphilis among inpatients in general hospital. Methods The clinical data of 249 cases of latent syphilis during October 2005 to September 2009 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in the gender distribution of 249 cases of latent syphilis. Latent syphilis was observed in every stratum of people aged more than 20 years old, while patient aged more than 60 years old were accounted for high than normal stake of latent syphilis (35.74%). The patients of latent syphilis trend went up in recent years. Latent syphilis might occur in departments of orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, etc, and department of orthopedics was the most likely place of latent syphilis infection. The titer of latent syphilis TRUST was relatively lower and 62.65% were in ratio of 1:4. Conclusions The distribution of age stratum for latent syphilis infection is wide, and latent syphilis infection is observed in elderly populations. The patients of latent syphilis trend go up in recent years. Cases of latent syphilis are widespread in hospitalized patients with epidemiological characteristics. Routine syphilis screening of inpatients by using early detection test is one of the effective measures to prevent the spread of syphilis.