Spirochetal Infections

Question 1

Treponema pallidum

Answer 1

Syphilis- chronic STI
CANNOT be grown in artificial media
Can be killed by soap, antiseptics, drying, cold
Able to persist phagocytosis and replicate
Course of syphilis is divided into 3 stages

Question 2

Primary Syphilis

Answer 2

Classical lesion: Chancres- painless- 1wk-3mnths after exposure
Tend to be solitary, firm raised borders
Luetic vaculitis- endothelial cell proliferation & swelling & vessel walls becoming thickened by lymphocytes and fibrosis.

Question 3

Secondary Syphilis

Answer 3

Reflects dissemination-highly infectious
Systemic lesions show perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and obliterative endarteritis.
Lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash: palms, soles 2wks-3 months after chancre heals
Condylomata lata (exudative plaques), follicular syphilids (papular lesions around hair follicles), numular syphilids (coin-like lesions of face, perinium), mucous patches

Question 4

Tertiary Syphilis

Answer 4

Asymptomatic period lasting for years or decades
Endarteritis obliterans- cells infiltrate small arteries, arterioles, producing characteristic obstructive vascular lesion
Neurosyphilis, aoritis,
**GUMMA- presence is indicative of benign tertiary syphilis. Granulomatous lesion w/ central region of coagulative necrosis

Question 5

Congenital Syphilis

Answer 5

Transmitted from infected mother to fetus
Fetal infection produces stillbirth, neonatal illness or death or postnatal disease
Desquamative rash, saddle nose, Hutchinson teeth (peg shaped upper incisor teeth)