Syphilis (1)
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1 SYPHILIS PATHOGEN: Syphilis is caused by a Gram negative spirochete bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It does not produce spores or toxins. RESERVOIR(S): Humans are the only reservoir host for the bacterium, and there are no inanimate reservoirs. TRANSMISSION: The syphilis bacterium is fragile and is almost always transmitted by direct contact with an infected person. The bacterium spreads from the initial ulcer (sore) of an infected person to the skin or mucous membranes of the genital area, mouth, or anus of an uninfected sexual partner. It also can pass through broken skin on other parts of the body. Congenital infection may occur when the bacteria cross the placenta and infect the fetus, often resulting in miscarriage, or serious mental and physical problems if the newborn. Neonates may also be infected if they come in contact with the bacteria during the birthing process. DISEASE The course of the disease is described by four stages - primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary (late). o Primary syphilis is characterized by a painless, infectious ulcer at the site of the initial infection. o Secondary syphilis occurs when the bacteria spread throughout the body, and is characterized by an infectious skin rash, loss of hair, malaise and fever. After several weeks the disease may become latent. o Latent syphilis is the time during which the disease it is not infectious, except for congenital transmission from the mother to the developing fetus. Latency can last for many years. o Tertiary syphilis results due to reactivation of the latent bacterium. Although this stage of the disease is not infectious, degenerative lesions called gummas of the skin, bone and nervous system result due to hypersensitivity to the pathogen. If untreated, heart abnormalities, mental disorders, blindness, dementia, and other neurological problems precede death. Congenital syphilis occurs when the bacterium cross the placenta and infects the developing fetus, which may result in birth defects or miscarriage. Neonates may also be infected if they come in contact with the bacteria during the birthing process. TREATMENT: A major problem in the successful treatment of syphilis is the fact that the early symptoms can be very mild and are often overlooked by infected individuals; in turn, these individuals do not seek treatment when they first become infected. Antibiotics are effective in treating primary and secondary syphilis, however in tertiary syphilis, the damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed. Patients are usually treated with penicillin, which is delivered through injection. A person usually can no longer transmit syphilis 24 hours after starting treatment. Some people do not respond to the usual doses of penicillin. It is therefore important that people being treated for syphilis have periodic blood tests to ensure the bacteria have been
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Transcript of Syphilis (1)
1
SYPHILIS PATHOGEN:
Syphilis is caused by a Gram negative spirochete bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It does not produce spores or toxins.
RESERVOIR(S):
Humans are the only reservoir host for the bacterium, and there are no inanimate reservoirs.
TRANSMISSION:
The syphilis bacterium is fragile and is almost always transmitted by direct contact with an infected person. The bacterium spreads from the initial ulcer (sore) of an infected person to the skin or mucous membranes of the genital area, mouth, or anus of an uninfected sexual partner. It also can pass through broken skin on other parts of the body.
Congenital infection may occur when the bacteria cross the placenta and infect the fetus, often resulting in miscarriage, or serious mental and physical problems if the newborn. Neonates may also be infected if they come in contact with the bacteria during the birthing process.
DISEASE
The course of the disease is described by four stages - primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary (late). o Primary syphilis is characterized by a painless, infectious ulcer at the site of the initial
infection. o Secondary syphilis occurs when the bacteria spread throughout the body, and is
characterized by an infectious skin rash, loss of hair, malaise and fever. After several weeks the disease may become latent.
o Latent syphilis is the time during which the disease it is not infectious, except for congenital transmission from the mother to the developing fetus. Latency can last for many years.
o Tertiary syphilis results due to reactivation of the latent bacterium. Although this stage of the disease is not infectious, degenerative lesions called gummas of the skin, bone and nervous system result due to hypersensitivity to the pathogen. If untreated, heart abnormalities, mental disorders, blindness, dementia, and other neurological problems precede death.
Congenital syphilis occurs when the bacterium cross the placenta and infects the developing fetus, which may result in birth defects or miscarriage. Neonates may also be infected if they come in contact with the bacteria during the birthing process.
TREATMENT:
A major problem in the successful treatment of syphilis is the fact that the early symptoms can be very mild and are often overlooked by infected individuals; in turn, these individuals do not seek treatment when they first become infected.
Antibiotics are effective in treating primary and secondary syphilis, however in tertiary syphilis, the damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed. Patients are usually treated with penicillin, which is delivered through injection.
A person usually can no longer transmit syphilis 24 hours after starting treatment. Some people do not respond to the usual doses of penicillin. It is therefore important that people being treated for syphilis have periodic blood tests to ensure the bacteria have been
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completely destroyed. People with neurosyphilis may need to be retested for up to 2 years after treatment.
Infection and subsequent recovery, with or without antibiotic treatment, does not guarantee protection against reinfection with the bacterium.
PREVENTION:
Preventive measures include the avoidance of any contact with lesions (which may not be visible ) or body fluids, the proper use of latex condoms during sexual intercourse, which may give some level of protection, and the screening and treatment of infected individuals. Testing and treatment early in pregnancy are the best ways to prevent syphilis in infants and should be a routine part of prenatal care.
VACCINE:
There is no vaccine for syphilis.
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