Syphilis

Abstract

Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (T. pallidum) causes syphilis via sexual exposure or vertical transmission during pregnancy. T. pallidum is renowned for its invasiveness and immune-evasiveness; its clinical manifestations result from local inflammatory responses to replicating spirochetes and often imitate those of other diseases. The spirochete has a long latent period during which patients have no signs or symptoms, but can remain infectious. Despite the availability of simple diagnostic tests and the effectiveness of treatment with a single dose of long-acting penicillin, syphilis is re-emerging as a global public health problem, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in high-income and middle-income countries. Syphilis also causes several hundred thousand stillbirths and neonatal deaths every year in developing nations. Although several low-income countries have achieved WHO targets for the elimination of congenital syphilis, an alarming increase of syphilis in HIV-infected MSM serves as a strong reminder of the tenacity of T. pallidum as a pathogen. Strong advocacy and community involvement is needed to ensure that syphilis is given high priority on the global health agenda. More investment in research is needed on the interaction between HIV and syphilis in MSM, as well as into improved diagnostics, a better test of cure, intensified public health measures and, ultimately, a vaccine.

Syphilitic hepatitis: Case report of an overlooked condition

“…It occurs relatively more frequently among men who engaged in sexual intercourse with men or with patients with HIV infection, but the disease can emerge in any individual who gets infected . Even though a local inflammatory response elicited by spirochetes is believed to be the cause of all clinical manifestations of syphilis, the precise mechanisms by which T pallidum causes liver damage and the reason behind certain patients with infection developing hepatitis while others do not remain unclear …”

“…Syphilis is a sexually and vertically transmitted infection that is caused by the bacterium, Treponema pallidum ( T pallidum ), an obligate human pathogen well‐known for its invasiveness and immune‐evasive properties . Syphilis was first described at the end of the fifteenth century, and it remains a major public health problem worldwide .…”

“…Syphilis can involve multiple organs and produce diverse and often subtle clinical manifestations that can mimic other infectious and non‐infectious conditions . Liver involvement associated with syphilis is not observed in daily clinical practice.…”

Dermoscopic clues in the skin lesions of secondary syphilis

“…Untreated individuals infected with Treponema pallidum typically follow a course of disease which includes primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages . Early recognition and treatment of syphilis are of prime importance to avoid serious systemic complications …”

Trichoscopy of Diffuse Syphilitic Alopecia

“…Literatürdeki güve yeniği formundaki SA'lı olguların trikoskopisine bakıldığında alopesi areata başta olmak üzere birçok diğer fokal alopesiye sebep olan dermatolojik hastalık ile ortak trikoskopik bulgular saptanmış-tır. 1,3,5 Bu olguda ise semptomatik diffüz tipte SA vardı ve siyah noktalar başta olmak üzere dallanan kırmızı çizgiler, beyaz kısa vellus kıllar ve kırık saçlar saptandı.…”