Transcript Syphilis!

Syphilis!
Treponema pallidum
What Is Syphilis?
• A sexually transmitted disease, living in the
genital tract, and can be fatal if left untreated.
• A spirochete, which means it is spiral-shaped.
• Anaerobic and heterotrophic.
• Not seen on a gram stain because the bacteria
is too thin.
• Releases the endotoxin lypopolysaccharide.
• Syphilis cannot be contracted through toilet
seats, daily activities, hot tubs, or sharing eating
utensils or clothing.
The Four Stages of Syphilis!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Primary Syphilis
Secondary Syphilis
Latent Syphilis
Tertiary Syphilis
Primary and Secondary Stages
• Primary – typically acquired
during sex when coming in contact
with a lesion of an infected person.
Usually asymptomatic so treatment is
not sought out. After 10-90 days a skin
lesion appears where the initial
exposure occurred.
• Secondary – occurs 1-6
months after first stage.
Many manifestations of the
disease and it is most
contagious in this stage.
Latent and Tertiary Stages
• Latent – having the
disease without any
symptoms being present.
• Tertiary – last stage:
“gummas” (soft, tumorlike balls) appear
anywhere in the body,
seen right. They show the
body’s inability to fight off the
disease.
WOW.
• People with HIV and Syphilis will have
faster-advancing Syphilis.
• Hitler may have had Syphilis.
• Syphilis has existed since Medieval times,
and was sometimes treated with mercury.
Resources!
• http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/gallery/719
/syphilisbacaterias.jpg
• http://www.uky.edu/Pharmacy/pro/phr952/
9-5,9-8gram-/9-5,9-8.pdf
• http://www.dhpe.org/infect/syphilis.html
• http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/
Treponema_pallidum