Obstetrics - TORCHES Infection - Syphillis Flashcards

1
Q

TORCHES Infection?

Syphilis?

What is it?

Transmission?

A

Caused by the spirochaete Treponema pallidum

Transmitted by sexual contact

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2
Q

TORCHES Infection?

Syphilis?

Symptoms?

A

Infection occurs in three stages:

  • Chancre - painless
  • Disseminated disease - rash on palms and soles
  • Cardiac and neurological involvement
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3
Q

TORCHES Infection?

Syphilis?

Transmission?

Investigations?

A

Sexual Contact

Investigations:

Venereal Disease Research Lab (VDRL) test

Rapid plasma reagin test

Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS)

  • Treponema pallidium* haemaggluntination test (TPHA)
  • Trepomema pallidium* particle agglutination test (TPPA)

Treponemal enzyme immmunoassay (EIA)

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4
Q

TORCHES Infection?

Syphilis?

Treatment?

A

Conservative:

  • Education
  • Advice on delivery route

Medical:

  • Many antibiotics are contraindicated
  • Local guidelines/BNF
  • Termination

Maternal:

  • Procaine penicillin G
  • Doxycycline
  • Erythromycin
  • Azithromycin

Neurosyphilis:

  • Prophylactic prednisolone
  • To avoid Jarisch Herxheimer reaction

Fetal:

  • Penicillin
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5
Q

TORCHES Infection?

Syphilis?

Complications?

A

Fetal ABCDES:

  • A - A small head (microcephaly)
  • B - Brain pathology (meningitis), Bloodstained nasal discharge
  • C - Choroiditis: inflammation of the choroid (thin pigmented vascular coat of the eye) and retina of the eye.
  • D - Dental malformations, Deafness (sensorineural - damage to hair cells of cochlea)
  • E - Enlarged liver and spleen

S - Skin lesions, Seizures

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