Syphilis

also called lues (from a Latin word meaning plague.)

What is it?

A sexually-transmitted disease, with symptoms in the early contagious stages being a sore on the genitalia, a rash, patches of flaking tissue, fever, a sore throat, and sores in the mouth or anus. Causative Organism: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Manifestations of primary syphilis: a) hard chancre (a chancre, is a small blister -like sore about 0.5 in (13 mm) in size) and b) regional lymphadenitis Manifestations of secondary syphilis -- Lesions generally begin 6-8 weeks after the appearance of the initial chancre and may overlap the time when the chancre is still present. -- The principal manifestations of 2° syphilis are skin and mucous membrane lesions, as well as manifestations of systemic disease Skin and mucous membrane lesions: - Skin lesions vary from macular, papular, or occasional pustular and nodular type rashes. Can occur on the palms and the soles. - Patchy alopecia - Condyloma lata - moist, flat, confluent plaques (see image bottom - left) - Mucous patches Tertiary or late syphilis is a noncontagious but highly destructive phase of syphilis which may take many years to develop; it may manifest itself in several forms: Late benign or gummatous syphilis is the most common form of 3° syphilis. -- It develops in 15% of untreated cases within 1-10 years after infection. -- Gummas are nodular lesions characterized by a granulomatous inflammation. -- Gummas may be in any organ. Cardiovascular syphilis -- 10% of untreated syphilis cases develop this 10-40 years after initial infection. -- The basic lesion is an aortitis consisting of necrosis resulting from thickening and hardening of the vasa vasorum. -- The elastic tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue -- This is manifested by: Neurosyphilis -- Symptoms of neurosyphilis are expressed only in approximately 8% of untreated cases and then only 5-35 years after infection. Invasion of the CNS occurs early when generalized dissemination occurs (2° syphilis).