Syphilis is caused by?

Treponema pallidum

Treponema pallidum is what type of bacterium?

Spirochete (flagella, gram (-), corkscrew motility)

Natural reservoir of T. pallidum?

none

Main transmission of syphilis?

Sexual contact

Other syphilis transmission routes?

Congenital; Parenteral (contaminated needles/blood)

Primary stage of syphillis duration

3-6 weeks

Chancre: typical appearance?

Solitary; raised, well-defined borders

Primary chancre: when does it appear?

10-90 days after infection

primary stage duration

3-6 weeks

Primary syphilis: when do antibodies begin?

1-4 weeks after infection

Secondary syphilis duration

2-24 weeks

Secondary syphilis: key symptoms?

Lymphadenopathy, fever, malaise, sore throat, rash on hands and feet

Secondary syphilis: % progressing?

~25%

Secondary syphilis symptoms may resolve in?

8-12 weeks

Latent syphilis: symptoms?

None except pregnant women (are infectious)

Early latent syphilis?

<1 year

Late latent syphilis?

>1 year

Tertiary syphilis duration

10-30 years after infection

3 types of tertiary syphilis?

Gummatous, cardiovascular, neurosyphilis

Gummas affect what?

Bone, skin, subcutaneous tissue

Gummas are what type of response?

localized areas of granulomatous inflammation (WBCs enter tissue)

Cardiovascular syphilis damages the?

Ascending aorta

Cardiovascular syphilis can cause?

Aneurysm (vessel ruptures), aortic regurgitation (blood goes back in), angina (narrowing of blood vessels in heart)

Neurosyphilis can affect?

Vision, hearing, balance

Neurosyphilis may begin as?

Acute meningitis (brain is being impaired)

Neurosyphilis complications?

Cranial nerve palsies, stroke, no treatment

Tabes dorsalis

Spinal cord degeneration

Severe tabes dorsalis outcomes

Paralysis, progressive dementia

Neurological symptoms of syphilis can occur at what stage?

Any stage

Direct syphilis detection looks for?

visualizing the organism

Dark-field microscopy: approximate test time?

~20 minutes

Dark-field microscopy limitation?

Specimen must be examined quickly

Direct fluorescent antibody test uses?

Direct fluorescent anti-T. pallidum reagent

Indirect fluorescent antibody test uses?

Anti-T. pallidum + labeled anti-Ig

Fluorescent antibody test advantage?

Live organisms not required, slides can be fixed and tested later

Fluorescent antibody test disadvantages

takes 1-2 days, FDA testing not available in US