Syphilis

Coordonator:Pavel Ecaterina

Realizatori:

Guba Ana-Maria

Onea Bianca
Syphilis is an infectious and contagious disease caused by
Treponema pallidum, pathogenic spirochetes that are transmitted
through sexual or transplacental contact, exceptionally by blood
contact (stinging, transfusion).

There are different types of syphilis:

-Primary syphilis;

-Secondary syphilis;

- Early latent syphilis (in early syphilis);

-Latent tardive syphilis;

-Tertiary syphilis.

Primary syphilis is clinically manifested by the presence of the

chances and adenopathies, generally exhibiting a single
ulceration (a firm, painless, itchy area).

The shunt may persist for between 2 and 6 weeks and may
regress spontaneously without specific treatment.

Primary syphilic shank on hand.

The lesion can be almost any form. Multiple lesions (in about 40%
of cases), usually present in cases of concomitant HIV infection,
can be observed. The lesions can be painful or sensitive (30%),
and can be located outside the genitals (2-7%). Women most
often appear in the cervix (44%), heterosexual men in the penis
area (99%), and often in anal and rectal areas in men who have
intimate relationships with men (34%).

Secondary syphilis occurs about 4-10 weeks after the primary

infection.

Secondary syphilis is clinically manifested by cutaneous-mucous

eruption (trunk, face, palms) sometimes accompanied by
manifestations such as fever, hepatitis. Symptoms of pinkish-red,
itchy, irritated may occur. Irritation may become maculopapular
or pustular. On the mucous membranes flat, widened, whitish,
wart-like lesions, known as condylomas, may form. All these
lesions host bacteria and are infectious.

Acute symptoms usually disappear after 3-7 weeks; however, in

about 25% of the patients the symptoms of secondary syphilis
may return. Many people with symptoms of the secondary type of
syphilis (40-85% women, 20-65% men) do not report the
appearance of the primary syphilis pattern.

Secondary syphilis with palm

irritation.
Early latent syphilis and late latent syphilis are clinical-free
stages.

Latent syphilis is defined as the presence of serological evidence

of infection without the disease symptoms. In the United States, it
is classified in the early stage (up to 1 year after secondary
syphilis) and late stage (over 1 year after secondary syphilis).] In
the United Kingdom, early and late latent syphilis occurs after a
period of two years.

Tertiary syphilis is clinically manifested by cutaneous, neurological

(generalized paralysis) and cardiological determinations. Tertiary
syphilis occurs about 3-15 years after the initial infection. Without
treatment, one-third of infected people reach tertiary stage. At
this stage the disease is not infectious. Gumphal syphilis or late
benign syphilis usually occurs 1-46 years after the initial infection,
with an average of 15 years. This stage is characterized by the
formation of ghosts that look like soft, tumor-like swellings of
various sizes. These usually affect the skin, bones and liver, but
can occur anywhere.

Neurosyphilis is an infection that affects the central nervous

system and usually occurs 4-25 years after the initial infection.

Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10-30 years after the initial

infection. The most common complication is syphilitic aortitis that
can lead to aneurysm.

Congenital syphilis can occur during pregnancy or childbirth. Two-

thirds of syphilis have no symptoms at birth. Symptoms that
occur in early life include: hepatosplenomegaly (70%), eczema
(70%), fever (40%), neurosifilis (20%) and pneumonitis (20%).

Prevention.

So far, there is not yet an effective preventive vaccine.

Abstinence from intimate physical relationships with an infected
person is effective in reducing syphilis transmission as well as the
proper use of a latex condom. However, condom use does not
completely eliminate the risk. Therefore, the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention recommends mutual, long-term, with an
uninfected partner and avoiding substances such as alcohol and
medicines that can stimulate risky sexual behavior.

Diagnostic.

Syphilis in its incipient stages is clinically difficult to detect.

The infection is confirmed either by serological tests or by direct
microscope testing. Serological tests are most common due to the
ease with which they are performed. However, diagnostic tests do
not distinguish between the stages of the disease.
Bibliography

- The Synevo Laboratory Medical Services Guide 2007-2008

Edition

-Wikipedia https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sifilis