Syphilis Flashcards
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum.
How is syphilis transmitted?
Syphilis is transmitted through direct contact with syphilitic sores during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or from mother to child during pregnancy.
What are the stages of syphilis?
The stages include primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary syphilis.
What is the characteristic feature of primary syphilis?
Primary syphilis presents with a painless ulcer called a chancre at the site of infection.
What are the symptoms of secondary syphilis?
Symptoms include a maculopapular rash (often on the palms and soles), mucous patches, condylomata lata, fever, and lymphadenopathy.
What is latent syphilis?
Latent syphilis is a stage with no clinical symptoms but positive serological tests for Treponema pallidum.
What are the complications of tertiary syphilis?
Complications include cardiovascular syphilis (e.g., aortitis), neurosyphilis (e.g., tabes dorsalis), and gummatous syphilis (destructive granulomatous lesions).
What is congenital syphilis?
Congenital syphilis occurs when Treponema pallidum is transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, leading to serious complications.
What are the symptoms of congenital syphilis?
Symptoms include bone deformities, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, rash, and neurological impairment.
How is syphilis diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves serological testing, including non-treponemal tests (e.g., RPR, VDRL) and treponemal tests (e.g., TPPA, FTA-ABS).
What is the role of dark-field microscopy in syphilis diagnosis?
Dark-field microscopy can detect Treponema pallidum directly from chancre exudates in primary syphilis.
What is the treatment for syphilis?
The treatment of choice is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.
What is the alternative treatment for syphilis in penicillin-allergic patients?
Alternatives include doxycycline or azithromycin, but penicillin desensitisation is preferred for pregnant patients.
What is the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction?
It is an acute febrile reaction following antibiotic treatment of syphilis, due to the release of bacterial endotoxins.
How is congenital syphilis prevented?
Prevention involves antenatal screening and treatment of syphilis during pregnancy.
What is the incubation period of syphilis?
The incubation period ranges from 10 to 90 days, with an average of 21 days.
What are condylomata lata?
Condylomata lata are highly infectious, wart-like lesions found in secondary syphilis, often in moist areas such as the genital or perianal region.
What are the differential diagnoses for a genital ulcer?
Differentials include herpes simplex virus, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and Behçet’s disease.
How can syphilis affect the nervous system?
Neurosyphilis can occur at any stage, presenting with symptoms like meningitis, cranial nerve palsies, tabes dorsalis, or general paresis.
What is cardiovascular syphilis?
Cardiovascular syphilis occurs in tertiary syphilis and includes complications such as aortitis, aortic aneurysm, and aortic regurgitation.
What are gummas in syphilis?
Gummas are destructive granulomatous lesions found in tertiary syphilis, typically affecting the skin, bones, or liver.
How is syphilis monitored after treatment?
Monitoring includes repeated non-treponemal serological tests (e.g., RPR or VDRL) to assess treatment response.
Why is partner notification important in syphilis?
Partner notification helps identify and treat sexual contacts, preventing further transmission and reinfection.
Can syphilis co-exist with other STIs?
Yes, co-infections with other STIs, such as HIV, are common and may complicate diagnosis and management.
How is syphilis prevented?
Prevention strategies include practising safe sex, routine STI screening, and treating sexual partners of infected individuals.
