Syphilis infection

Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted infection. An estimated 6 million new infections occurred worldwide in 2016. Incidence of congenital, primary, and secondary syphilis is increasing.

Caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum, subspecies pallidum.

Clinical presentation is often asymptomatic, but can manifest in a number of ways.

A painless ulcer (chancre) in the anogenital region is a hallmark of primary infection.

Diagnosis is usually straightforward after clinical exam and serologic tests.

Syphilis infection is treated with penicillin.

Untreated syphilis facilitates HIV transmission and causes considerable morbidity, such as cardiovascular and neurologic disease, as well as a congenital syndrome in the newborn.

Syphilis in pregnancy is a major cause of miscarriage, stillbirth, and perinatal morbidity and mortality in some parts of the world.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum, subspecies pallidum. It is found only in human hosts. Infection is typically acquired through direct person-to-person sexual contact with an individual who has early (primary or secondary) syphilis.[1]Stoltey JE, Cohen SE. Syphilis transmission: a review of the current evidence. Sex Health. 2015 Apr;12(2):103-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5973824 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25702043?tool=bestpractice.com Most sexual transmission of syphilis probably occurs from direct contact with syphilitic lesions on the genitals or mucous membranes. Transmission from mother to fetus during pregnancy causes congenital infection.[1]Stoltey JE, Cohen SE. Syphilis transmission: a review of the current evidence. Sex Health. 2015 Apr;12(2):103-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5973824 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25702043?tool=bestpractice.com Syphilis has often been described as the great imitator because many of the symptoms and signs are difficult to distinguish from other diseases.[2]Baughn RE, Musher DM. Secondary syphilitic lesions. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2005 Jan;18(1):205-16. http://cmr.asm.org/content/18/1/205.full http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15653827?tool=bestpractice.com [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Electron micrograph of Treponema pallidum on cultures of cotton-tail rabbit epithelium cellsCDC/Dr David Cox; used with permission [Citation ends].