Sífilis: diagnóstico, tratamento e controle

Abstract

Abstract:Syphilis is an infectious disease transmitted through sex or vertically during pregnancy. It is characterized by periods of activity and latency, disseminated systemic involvement, and progression to acute complications in patients that remain untreated or have been inadequately treated. Syphilis is known since the 15th century and studied by all medical specialties, particularly by Dermatology. The etiologic agent Treponema pallidum has never been cultured and was described over 100 years ago. The disease has been effectively treated with penicillin since 1943, but it remains an important health problem in developed and developing countries. Given its transmission characteristics, the condition has accompanied the behavioral changes in society in recent years and has become even more important due to the possibility of increasing the risk of transmitting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. New laboratory tests and methods of control aimed at appropriate treatment of patients and their partners, use of condoms, and dissemination of information to the population comprise some measures to control syphilis adopted by health program organizers.

Incidence of congenital syphilis in the South Region of Brazil

“…Syphilis is a chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a spirochete bacterium with sexual and vertical transmission resulting in the acquired and congenital forms of disease, respectively 2 . Congenital syphilis occurs due to hematogenous spread of T. pallidum from an infected or inappropriately treated pregnant woman to the fetus 3 .…”

“…Despite the low cost of treatment and the wide availability of simple preventive technologies, congenital syphilis is still a signifi cant cause of child morbidity, morbidity, and perinatal death -especially related to the fetal component 2,3 . Therefore, the current annual incidence of disease has no justifi cation, and interventions aimed at increasing the coverage of screening, treatment, and prevention of syphilis during pregnancy should be prioritized.…”

Aortite sifilítica: diagnóstico e tratamento. Relato de caso

“…However, it is known that even with the elimination of Treponema Pallidum in the system, the chance of recurrence of the disease still persists [3]. Because of this, there is a need for a long-term follow-up of the patient.…”

“…Tertiary syphilis, now rare due to effective antibiotic treatment already in use for several years, is responsible for cardiovascular syphilitic lesions [2,3]. Among the lesions, the most common is the syphilitic aortitis.…”

“…Among the lesions, the most common is the syphilitic aortitis. In untreated syphilis, aortitis may manifest after 10 to 40 years after the initial sexual contact [2,3]. The ascending aorta is affected in 50% of the cases, followed, in descending order, the aortic arch, the descending aorta and abdominal aorta, with possible impairment of coronary ostia and aortic valve [2,4].…”