Immunology_chapter_15

Syphilis

A disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, characterized by the development of chancres and potential systemic complications.

Treponema pallidum

The specific bacterium that causes syphilis; can have different subspecies.

Chancre

A painless ulcer or sore that appears at the site of infection in primary syphilis.

Epidemiology

The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why.

Congenital syphilis

Syphilis infection in a newborn baby resulting from transmission from an infected mother during pregnancy.

Dark field microscopy

A type of microscopy used to visualize Treponema pallidum, which cannot be easily stained.

Nontreponemal test

A screening test for syphilis that detects antibodies not specific to Treponema pallidum.

Treponemal test

A confirmatory test for syphilis that detects specific antibodies against Treponema pallidum.

Incubation period

The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms; for syphilis, this can be 10 to 90 days.

Secondary syphilis

The stage following primary syphilis, characterized by systemic symptoms and skin rashes.

Lymphadenopathy

Swelling or enlargement of lymph nodes, which can occur during syphilis infection.

Tertiary syphilis

The late stage of syphilis that can occur years after initial infection, leading to severe complications.

Screening

The process of testing for disease in asymptomatic individuals.

Serologic tests

Blood tests used to identify antibodies related to syphilis infection.

Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test

A treponemal test used to confirm syphilis infection by detecting specific antibodies against Treponema pallidum.

TPPA test

Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay; a qualitative test for treponemal antibodies.

RPR test

Rapid plasma reagin test; a nontreponemal test used for initial screening of syphilis.

VDRL test

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test; another nontreponemal test used mainly in cerebrospinal fluid.

Meningovascular syphilis

A form of neurosyphilis characterized by inflammation of blood vessels in the brain, leading to strokes.

Serologic relapse

Reactivation of a syphilis infection that can occur in some patients with latent syphilis.

Neurosyphilis

A complication of syphilis where the central nervous system is affected.

Asymptomatic intervals

Periods during syphilis infection when the individual shows no symptoms but can still be infectious.

Granulomas (gumma)

Tumor-like growths that can occur in late syphilis due to immune response to infections.

Candidiasis

A yeast infection that can be confused with syphilitic lesions in clinical examinations.

Primary stage

The initial stage of syphilis marked by the appearance of a chancre.

Latent stage

A dormant stage of syphilis where the individual has no symptoms and is typically non-infectious.