Curved Gram Negative Rods - Syphilis

The spirochete GNR includes:

Leptospira, Borrelia, and Treponema

The curved/”S” shaped GNR includes:

Campylobacter, Heliobacter; and Vibrio

Treponema pallidum

causes syphilis, yaws, bejel, and pinta; only syphilis sexually transmitted

What are stages the of Syphilis:

Primary, Secondary, Latent or Tertiary

Primary stage of Syphilis

patient develops a painless chancre at the site of infection 2-3 weeks after exposure

Secondary stage of Syphilis

patient develops a skin rash

Tertiary stage of Syphilis

brain, visual, and heart damage occurs due to immune response; creates lesions called gummas; non infectious

Latent period of Syphilis

patient begins to recover; can be lifelong or last 2-3 years

Congenital Syphilis

syphilis transmitted from mother to child in utero

Yaws/Bejel/Pinta

spread by contact with lesions with infected; doesn’t invade internal organs; treated with penicillin

How can syphilis be diagnosed?

Visually or Serologically

Visual diagnosis of syphilis:

observe primary or secondary lesions; collect extrusions from lesions and look for spirochetes under microscope

Serological diagnosis of syphilis

look for antibodies in blood that target Treponema pallidum

VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test)

nonspecific serology used to screen large number of samples

RPR (Rapid Plasma Regain)

nonspecific serology used to screen large number of samples

FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test)

specific; used to confirm positive VDRL/RPR test

What drugs can be used to treat syphylis

DOC (drug of choice) is penicillin