177 Syphilis Flashcards
Organism that causes Syphilis
Treponema pallidum
Incubation period of syphilis
Average of 2-6 weeks
Median incubation period in humans: ~21 days
4 genera of Spirochaetales
Leptospira species (leptospirosis)
Borrelia species (relapsing fever and Lyme disease)
Brachyspira species (gastrointestinal infections)
Treponema species (syphilis and the endemic treponematoses)
Disease caused by T. pallidum subsp. pallidum
Venereal syphilis
Disease caused by T. pallidum subsp. pertenue
Yaws
Disease caused by T. pallidum subsp. endemicum
Endemic syphilis or Bejel
Disease caused by T. carateum
Pinta
TRUE OR FALSE: The T. pallidum subspecies cannot be cultured in vitro.
TRUE
The only known natural host for T. pallidum subsp. pallidum
Human
The animal model that best reflects the human disease and immunopathology of syphilis
Rabbit
Most common mode of transmission of syphilis
Sexual
Site of primary lesion of syphilis
Site of inoculation
Duration of persistence of primary and secondary lesions
Primary 4-6 weeks, then heals spontaneously
Secondary 2-6 weeks
How long before secondary syphilis manifests
~6-12 weeks after infection (primary and secondary may occasionally overlap; or map skip secondary)
Characteristic lymphadenopathy in primary syphilis
Regional (usually inguinal), firm, nonsuppurative, and painless
Inguinal lymphadenopathy is bilateral
Characteristic lymphadenopathy in secondary syphilis
Generalized and nontender
Possible cause of the paradoxical appearance of secondary manifestations even after the development of an immune response that clears primary lesions
Immune evasion due to antigenic variation of surface antigens
TRUE OR FALSE: The latent stage of syphilis is detectable only by serologic testing.
TRUE
Typical primary lesion of syphilis
Chancre - begins as a single painless papule that rapidly becomes eroded and usually becomes indurated, with a characteristic cartilaginous consistency on palpation of the edge and base of the ulcer
TRUE OR FALSE: The primary chancre and associated lymphadenopathy will heal within 4-6 weeks (range, 2-12 weeks).
FALSE. The lymphadenopathy may persist for months.
Protean manifestations of secondary syphilis
Mucocutaneous or cutaneous lesions and generalized nontender lymphadenopathy
Initial lesions of secondary syphilis
Pale red or pink, nonpruritic, discrete macules distributed on the trunk and extremities, then progress to papular lesions that are distributed widely and that frequently involve the palms and soles
Severe necrotic lesions that may appear in secondary syphilis that are more commonly reported in HIV-infected individuals
Lues maligna
Broad, moist, pink or gray-white, highly infectious lesions that occur in warm, moist, intertriginous areas in secondary syphilis
Condyloma lata
Typical mucous patch of secondary syphilis
Painless silver-gray erosion surrounded by a red periphery
Most common constitutional symptom of secondary syphilis
Sore throat (15-30%)
TRUE OR FALSE: Hepatic involvement is rare in syphilis, but usually severe.
FALSE. Hepatic involvement is common in syphilis; although it is usually asymptomatic, up to 25% of patients may have abnormal liver function tests.
Most manifestations of the secondary stage of syphilis resolve spontaneously, within _____.
1-6 months
Timing of “early latent” and “late latent” syphilis
Early latent syphilis is limited to the first year after infection.
Late latent syphilis is defined as that of >=1 year’s duration.
TRUE OR FALSE: Latent syphilis in a pregnant woman may infect the fetus in utero.
TRUE
