Syphilis: Continuing public health and diagnostic challenges

Daskalakis, Demetre

doi:10.1007/s11904-008-0012-6

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1,2 Although most Tp isolates are not drug-tolerant clinically, in recent years, syphilis has a very high incidence of disease. 3,4 Approximately aims: In this study, the immune-modulatory and protective efficacy of using an interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression plasmid as a genetic adjuvant and chitosan (cs) nanoparticles as vectors to enhance a Tp92 DNa vaccine candidate were investigated in a Treponema pallidum (Tp) rabbit challenge model.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced immune response and protective efficacy of aTreponema pallidumTp92 DNA vaccine vectored by chitosan nanoparticles and adjuvanted with IL-2

Zhao

Wu²,

Zhang³

et al. 2011

Human Vaccines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced immune response and protective efficacy of aTreponema pallidumTp92 DNA vaccine vectored by chitosan nanoparticles and adjuvanted with IL-2

Zhao

Wu²,

Zhang³

et al. 2011

Human Vaccines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…(leptospirosis), Treponema pallidum and related subspecies (syphilis, pinta, and yaws), and oral Treponema spp. (periodontal disease) (5,12,33,45,59). The spirochetes swim by means of rotating periplasmic flagella (see references 6,36, and 38 for recent reviews).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Regulation of the Multiple Flagellins in Spirochetes

Sal

Marko

et al. 2010

J Bacteriol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The expression of flagellin genes in most bacteria is typically regulated by the flagellum-specific sigma 28 factor FliA, and an anti-sigma 28 factor, FlgM. However, the regulatory hierarchy in several bacteria that have multiple flagellins is more complex. In these bacteria, the flagellin genes are often transcribed by at least two different sigma factors. The flagellar filament in spirochetes consists of one to three FlaB core proteins and at least one FlaA sheath protein. Here, the genetically amenable bacterium Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was used as a model spirochete to investigate the regulation of its four flagellin genes, flaA, flaB1, flaB2, and flaB3. We found that the flaB1 and flaB2 genes are regulated by sigma 28 , whereas the flaA and flaB3 genes are controlled by sigma 70 . The analysis of a flagellar motor switch fliG mutant further supported this proposition; in the mutant, the transcription of flaB1 and flaB2 was inhibited, but that of flaA and flaB3 was not. In addition, the continued expression of flaA and flaB3 in the mutant resulted in the formation of incomplete flagellar filaments that were hollow tubes and consisted primarily of FlaA. Finally, our recent studies have shown that each flagellin unit contributes to the stiffness of the periplasmic flagella, and this stiffness directly correlates with motility. The regulatory mechanism identified here should allow spirochetes to change the relative ratio of these flagellin proteins and, concomitantly, vary the stiffness of their flagellar filament.Spirochetes are motile bacteria that are able to swim in highly viscous gel-like environments. The medically important spirochetes include Borrelia spp. (relapsing fever and Lyme disease), Brachyspira spp. (formerly known as Treponema and Surpulina spp., which cause human and animal gastrointestinal diseases), Leptospira spp. (leptospirosis), Treponema pallidum and related subspecies (syphilis, pinta, and yaws), and oral Treponema spp. (periodontal disease) (5,12,33,45,59). The spirochetes swim by means of rotating periplasmic flagella (see references 6, 36, and 38 for recent reviews). These organelles reside in the periplasmic space and are attached subterminally to the ends of the cell cylinder. Periplasmic flagella (PFs) are structurally similar to the flagella of other bacteria, as each consists of a basal body-motor complex, hook, and filament (8,27,28,39,48,55). However, the periplasmic flagellar filament is unique and is among the most complex of bacterial flagella. Specifically, in most spirochete species, the PFs contain at least one flagellar sheath protein, referred to as FlaA, and one to three core proteins, designated FlaB1, FlaB2, and FlaB3 (6, 35-37). In any given spirochete species, each FlaA and FlaB protein is encoded by an individual gene. There is no sequence similarity or antigenic cross-reactivity between FlaA and FlaB proteins (2,15,16,35,36,49,50,56).The individual periplasmic flagellar proteins have been studied in detail. FlaA proteins are 37 to 44 kDa and are similar betw...

show abstract

“…Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can display heterogeneous clinical and pathological manifestations, in keeping with its definition as to "the great mimic" [1]. Recently, an outbreak of the infection has been noticed in several countries; a phenomenon that has been partially explained by migratory fluxes from areas with high rate of infection [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Recently, an outbreak of the infection has been noticed in several countries; a phenomenon that has been partially explained by migratory fluxes from areas with high rate of infection [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%