STIs Flashcards
What is the genome of Herpes simplex virus?
Enveloped, large ds DNA virus
____ is the most common etiology of sexually transmitted genital ulcers
Herpes Simplex Virus
How does a primary herpes infection present?
Can be severe including painful ulcers, dysuria, fever, tender LAD, and HA
Ulcers typically last around 3 weeks
What does HSV do after primary infection?
HSV establihses a latent state followed by viral reactivation and recurrent local disease (note that genital disease resides latently in sacral ganglia)
How does recurrent HSV infection present/
Can be mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and lesions tend to only last around 10 days
How is HSV diagnosed?
PCR of lesions is gold standard. If you have an intact vesicle, want some of the fluid underneath for PCR
- viral culture is about 50% sensitive
- Serology
Tzanck smear (no longer used- below)
Tzanck smear for HSV
Shows multinucleated giant cells from lesion scarpings- has a low specificity and sensivity and cannot differentiate HSV 1 from 2
T or F. Only PCR or viral culture can tell if a lesion is HSV 1 or 2
T.
How is HSV treated?
There is no cure, but acyclovir and valacyclovir when given within 72 hrs of lesion appearance may decrease the duration and severity of illness. Simialrly, chronic suppression via daily medication can decrease frequency of recurrences and the potential to spread disease to a partner
What causes Syphillis?
Trepneoma pallidum
Describe Trepneoma pallidum
This is a spirochete that is too thin to see on gram stain, so most commonly visualized via darkfield screening (below)
How does primary syphillis present?
Typically as a painless chancre, a shallow ulcer with a clean base and rolled edges, located at the site of treponemal invasion.
When do chancres typically appear?
About 3 weeks after infection
T or F. Syphillis chancres heal with or without therapy
T.
Remember that chancres can arise at any site but are always at the site of primary treponemal entry
How does secondary syphilis present?
This typically occurs about 2-10 weeks after chancre appearance in untreated people and is marked by nonpainful maculopapular rash, that may also be scaly or pustular (can look like anything!)
Where are 2ndary syphillis rashes most commonly found?
palms or soles
What are some other potential symptoms of 2ndary syphillis?
Condylomata lata formation in the anogential region, axillae, and inner thighs
- LAD, fever, and malaise
- Silvery-grey superficial erosions or mucous patches on oropharyngeal and genital mucuous membranes
How do the sores/patches/lesions of 2ndary syphillis progress?
They typically last a few weeks then resolve with or without treatment
condyloma lata is more smooth, whereas warts are more cauliflower like (HPV caused)
How common is teritary syphillis?
Occurs in about 1/3 of untreated of pts, usually after a latent period of 5+ years
What are the CV manifestations of teritary syphillis?
Syphilitic aortitis leading to slowly progressive dilation of the aortic root and arch, which causes aortic valve insufficiency and aneurysms of the proximal aorta
What are the CNS manfiestations of tertiary syphillis?
This can be symptomatic or not. CNS abnormalities can include:
- pleocytosis (increased CNS inflammatory cells-mainly mononuclear)
- elevated CNS protein
- positive VDRL
- Meningovascular infection (chronic meningitis)
- cerebral gummas
- dementia
- rarely tabes dorsalis
What are cerebral gummas?
mass lesions composed of plasma cells. These can also occur in bone, skin, and mucuous membranes!
What is tabes dorsalis?
slow degeneration of nerves in dorsal columns manifested as broad-based ataxia, strokes, and parethesias. Again, this is very, very, very rare today
What is an Argyll Robertson pupil?
Argyll Robertson pupils (AR pupils or, colloquially, “prostitute’s pupils”) are bilateral small pupils that reduce in size on a near object (i.e., they accommodate), but do not constrict when exposed to bright light (i.e., they do not react to light). They are a highly specific sign of neurosyphilis; however, Argyll Robertson pupils may also be a sign of diabetic neuropathy.
What are the main ways to diagnose syphillis?
Nontreponemal and treponemal tests
What are the two nontreponemal tests?
These measure Abs to cardiolipin, a phospholipid found in trepenoma pallidum
RPD: rapid plasma reagent
VDRL: venereal disease research laboratory
These are used for screening
What are the treponemal tests?
These are more specific and measure AB specific to t. pallidum and are used for confirmation of screening tests
FTA-ABS: Flourescent treponemal AB absorption
TP-PA: T. pallidum particle agglutination assay
MHA-TP: Microhemoagglutination test for ab to T. pallidum
Other diagnosis strategies for syphillis?
Darkfield microscopy
How is primary, secondary, and latent syphillis treated?
IM penicllin G benzathine
How is teritary syphillis treated?
IV Penicillin G for 10-14 days
How should syphillis be treated if the pt. has a penicllin allergy?
If the pt is pregnant, it doesnt matter- you will have to desensitize them and use PCN
BUT, if they are not and the infection is not serious, you can use Doxycycline and monitor closely in follow up
What is a Jarisch-Herxheimer rxn?
This can occur during treatment (typically of secondary syphillis) with penicillin and presents as an acute febrile raction to meds with HA and myalgias within the first 24 hrs of treatment.
What is thought to cause a a Jarisch-Herxheimer rxn?
Thought to be due to killed bacteria releasing pyrogens, however not completely understood
What causes lymphogranulomas venereum (LGV)?
L1, L2, and L3 serovars of Chlmydia trachomatis
What is LGV?
It is classified as a genital ulcer disease but is predominately a disease of lymphatic tissue resulting from direct extension from the primary infection site to draining lymph nodes
How does LGV commonly present?
As a small painless genital ulcer that heals spontaneously within a few days. 2-6 weeks later, pts. can develop painful inguinal or femoral LAD with systemic symptoms. Boboes, which are painful inguinal nodes, can also form and rupture
What is another complication of LGV?
Anorectal syndrome which is marked by inflammatory masses/swelling in the rectum.
How does Anorectal syndrome present?
Pts. can present with proctocolitis (can be occult +) with rectal discharge, anal pain, constipation, fever, and/or tenesmus
Complications include chronic colorectal fistulas and strictures
What is tenesmus?
a clinical symptom, where there is a feeling of constantly needing to pass stools, despite an empty colon.
Bottom: colonscopy showing anorectal LGV
What is a ‘groove’ sign?
hallmark of LGV- painful LAD seperated by the inguinal ligament
How is LGV diagnosed?
Diagnosis is difficult. If available, nucleic acid amplification testing on genital, lymph node specimens (lesion swab or bubo aspirate), or rectal specimens is best- not available that often. Typically, the diagnosis is clinical (i.e. if pt. is MSM with rectal bleeding- treat empirically)
Serology can also be used but not good sensitivty and specificity
What is the Tx for LGV?
Doxycycline 100 mg BID for 21 days
What causes Chancroid?
Haemophilis ducreyi, a gram-negative rod
How does chanroid present?
–Erythematous papule rapidly evolves into a pustule which erodes into an ulcer. More than one ulcer is common.
–Ulcer is quite painful with erythematous base. Yellow or gray exudate covering the base is common.
How common is inguinal lymphadenitis in Chancroid?
Present in half of men, and less common in women (lymph nodes may also rupture). HOWEVER, in Chancroid the ulcer is more painful, larger, and multiple and is the main player in the tissue while the main player in LVG may be lymphatic involvement
What is the cause of Grnauloma inguinale (aka donovanosis)?
Klebsiella granulomatis
Where Donovanosis most common?
India, Caribbean, South America, Australia, Papa New Guinea
Describe donovanosis?
This disease is marked by beefy, red vascular ulcers with rolled edges that are PAINLESS
There might also be pseudo-buboes present in the inguinal area that feel like swollen lymph nodes but are actually subQ granulation that is eventually broken down and replaced by ulcers