Syphilis

Etiology

• Syphilis is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
• Usually sexually transmitted
• Causes a wide range of systemic manifestations that are characterized by episodes of active disease interrupted by periods of latency

Epidemiology

• There are an estimated 12 million new infections annually worldwide.
  • The most affected regions include Saharan Africa, South America, China and Southeast Asia.
• Approximately 30% of asymptomatic contacts examined within 30 days of exposure have infection

Pathogenesis

• Spirochetes penetrate intact mucous membranes or microscopic dermal abrasions.
• Transmission through sexual contact with infectious lesions, infection in utero, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation
• Blood from a patient with incubating or early syphilis is infectious.
• Characterized by multiple stages separated by periods of latency: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary

Clinical Features

Chancres on the penile shaft due to a primary syphilitic infection

• single nonpainful lesion with punched out base and rolled edges
  • lesion is highly infectious

Differential Diagnosis

• Ulcerative STDs
• Proctitis

Management

• Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units IM x 1 (for primary or secondary infection)

See Also

• Ulcerative STDs

Source

• Emedicine