Syphilis Flashcards
Causative organism?
Treponema pallidum
What are the stages of syphilis?
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
What is the usual presenting symptom in primary syphilis?
Chancre
Regional lymphadenopathy
Describe a chancre
“Punched out” appearance
Painless
Raised border
What are the symptoms of secondary syphilis?
Systemic bacteraemia
- Fever
- Malaise
Skin rash
Buccal
- Snail track lesions
What is the name of the rash that can occur in secondary syphilis?
Condylomata lata
What does “condylomata” and “lata” mean?
Condylomata = wart like Lata = milky
How long does tertiary syphilis take?
2 - 20 years post infection
What are the skin findings of tertiary syphilis?
Gummas
Granulomas
Where else can granulomas form?
Bones
Joints
What are the cardiac complications of quaternary syphilis?
Syphilitic aorta
- Aortic aneurysm
- Aortic regurgitation
How does syphilis cause an aortic aneurysm?
Infection of the vaso vasorum –> endocarditis obliterans and thickening of the walls
Symptoms of neurosyphilis?
Paralytic dimentia
CN palsies
Stroke
Tabes dorsalis
What is tabes dorsalis?
Degeneration of the sensory neurones in the leg leading to a +ve rombergs and ataxia
What are some eye findings in quaternary syphilis?
Argyll-robertson pupil
