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Syphilis. Dr. Meg- angela Christi Amores. Etiology. chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum usually sexually transmitted characterized by episodes of active disease interrupted by periods of latency Incubation period: 2-6 weeks average. Transmission.
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Syphilis Dr. Meg-angela Christi Amores
Etiology • chronic systemic infection caused by Treponemapallidum • usually sexually transmitted • characterized by episodes of active disease interrupted by periods of latency • Incubation period: 2-6 weeks average
Transmission • Nearly all cases of syphilis are acquired by sexual contact with infectious lesions • nonsexual personal contact • infection in utero • blood transfusion • organ transplantation
Stages • Primary stage • Lesion with regional lymphadenopathy • Secondary Stage • generalized mucocutaneous lesions and generalized lymphadenopathy • Tertiary Stage • characterized by progressive destructive mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, or parenchymal lesions; aortitis; or symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) disease
Natural Course • T. pallidum rapidly penetrates intact mucous membranes or microscopic abrasions in skin • within a few hours enters the lymphatics and blood • primary lesion appears at the site of inoculation, usually persists for 4–6 weeks, and then heals spontaneously
generalized parenchymal, constitutional, and mucocutaneous manifestations of secondary syphilis usually appear ~6–8 weeks after the chancre heals • some patients may enter the latent stage without ever recognizing secondary lesions
Secondary Syphilis • Invasion of the CNS by T. pallidum occurs during the first weeks • CSF abnormalities are detected in as many as 40% of patients during the secondary stage • Generalized nontenderlymphadenopathy is noted in 85% of patients with secondary syphilis • lesions subside within 2–6 weeks, then latency
Tertiary Syphilis • 30% in pre-antibiotic era • most common types of tertiary disease were thegumma , cardiovascular syphilis , symptomatic neurosyphilis (tabesdorsalis)
Clinical Manifestations • Primary Syphilis • Chancre – painless papule that becomes eroded • Becomes indurated • Characteristic cartilaginous consistency at base/edge • Heterosexual men: Penis • Homosexual men: anus or rectum • Women: cervix and labia
Clinical manifestations • Lymphadenopathy • The nodes are firm, nonsuppurative, and painless. Inguinal lymphadenopathy is bilateral and may occur with anal as well as with external genital chancres. The chancre generally heals within 4–6 weeks (range, 2–12 weeks), but lymphadenopathy may persist for months
Other diseases that must be differentiated: • Herpes Simplex • inguinal adenopathy, but the nodes are tender and the lesions consist of multiple painful vesicles, which later ulcerate and are often accompanied by systemic symptoms • Chancroid • painful, superficial, exudative, nonindurated ulcers, more often multiple than in syphilis • Tender adenopathy
Secondary Syphilis • localized or diffuse mucocutaneous lesions and generalized nontenderlymphadenopathy • healing primary chancre is still present in 15% of cases • macular, papular, papulosquamous, and occasionally pustularsyphilides • pale red or pink, nonpruritic, discrete macules distributed on the trunk and proximal extremities; these macules progress to papular lesions, frequently involve the palms and soles
Secondary Syphilis • Condylomatalata • broad, moist, pink or gray-white, highly infectious lesions in warm, moist, intertriginous areas : perianal region, vulva, scrotum • Mucous patches • superficial mucosal erosions that occur in 10–15% of patients and commonly involve the oral or genital mucosa
Secondary Syphilis • Constitutional symptoms that may accompany or precede secondary syphilis: • sore throat (15–30%) • fever (5–8%) • weight loss (2–20%) • malaise (25%) • anorexia (2–10%) • headache (10%) • meningismus(5%)
Latent Syphilis • Positive serologic tests for syphilis • normal CSF examination • absence of clinical manifestations of syphilis
CNS Involvement • Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis • lack neurologic symptoms and signs but who have CSF abnormalities • reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide test • T. pallidum can be isolated from CSF of 30% of patients even in the absence of other CSF abnormalities
CNS Involvement • Symptomatic Neurosyphilis • onset of symptoms usually comes <1 year after infection for meningealsyphilis • 5–10 years for meningovascularsyphilis • 20 years for general paresis, • 25–30 years for tabesdorsalis • ataxic wide-based gait and footslap; paresthesia; bladder disturbances; impotence; areflexia; and loss of position, deep pain, and temperature sensations
Management • Diagnosis • T. pallidum cannot be detected by culture • Serologic tests: • Treponemal (FTA-ABS) • Non-treponemal (RPR, VDRL) • False positive tests: autoimmune, drug use, leprosy
Management • Treatment • Penicillin G : 2.4 mU IM single dose • Neurosyphilis: • Aqueous penicillin G (18–24 mU/d IV, given as 3–4 mU q4h or continuous infusion) for 10–14 days
Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction • After initiation of treatment • mild reaction consisting of fever, chills, myalgias, headache, tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, increased circulating neutrophil count, and vasodilation with mild hypotension • a response to lipoproteins released by dying T. pallidum organisms