Experimental model of congenital syphilis

Abstract

Female LSH hamsters infected with Treponema pallidum subsp. endemicum before pregnancy or during early pregnancy transmit a form of syphilis to the fetus that is similar to human congenital syphilis. The offspring develops rhinitis, skin rash, failure to thrive, and hepatosplenomegaly. T. pailidum is detectable in their livers, spleens, and nasal secretions. Immunoglobulin M antibodies are detected in the serum.

The Experimental Use of Syrian Hamsters

“…pallidum is the etiologic agent for venereal syphilis and T. pallidum subsp. endemicum is the etiologic agent for the endemic form (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993). In the venereal form, primary lesions present as small painless firm raised sores at the site of contact that heal in 3-6 weeks (McAdam and Sharpe, 2010).…”

“…When Syrian hamsters are infected with T. pallidum subspecies endemicum, a disease process similar to human venereal syphilis develops (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993). Intradermal injection of T. pallidum into the inguinal regions of hamsters results in primary lesions at the site of inoculation.…”

“…The primary lesions form about 3 weeks after inoculation as erythematous papules, which enlarge and become ulcerated by 4 weeks (Figure 34.4A). The lesions continue to expand until the sixth to eighth week post-inoculation when they begin to heal slowly (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993). Around 24 weeks post-infection, secondary lesions develop as perioral ulcers (Figure 34.4B) and an erythematous rash on the paws and cranial trunk (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993).…”

“…The lesions continue to expand until the sixth to eighth week post-inoculation when they begin to heal slowly (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993). Around 24 weeks post-infection, secondary lesions develop as perioral ulcers (Figure 34.4B) and an erythematous rash on the paws and cranial trunk (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993). Most infected hamsters die within 28-32 weeks following inoculation due to malnutrition from the presence of severe perioral ulcers.…”

“…Gross pathologic features of hamster syphilis include lymphadenopathy and thymic atrophy (Kajdacsy-Balla et al, 1993). Histologic features include generalized follicular hyperplasia of lymph nodes, hepatic periportal foci of mononuclear cells, and a diffuse increase in mononuclear cells in the sinusoids.…”