Treponema pallidum, the Syphilis Spirochete

CAUSATIVE AGENT: Treponema pallidum.Passed by direct contact with infectious sore. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Primary stage: painless chancre (sore) at site of entry germs, swollen glands.

Secondary stage: symptoms usually appear 1 week to 6 months after appearance of chancre and may include rash, patchy hair loss, sore throat, and swollen glands. Primary and Secondary sores will go away even without treatment, but the germs continue to spread throughout the body. Latent syphilis may continue 5-20+ years with no symptoms, but the person is no longer infectious to other people. A pregnant woman can transmit the disease to her unborn child (congenital syphilis). Late syphilis: varies from no symptoms to indication of damage to body organs such as the brain and heart and liver (F.P. Cuevas, 2007)

SUSCEPTIBLE POPULATION: People who do unsafe sexual practices among men who have sex with men People under prostitution From mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth resulting in congenital syphilis Approximately 30 to 60% of those exposed to primary or secondary syphilis will get the disease

RECORDED HISTORY (LOCAL): Controversy about Mabini's paralysis: Even during his lifetime, there were controversial rumors regarding the cause of Mabini's paralysis. Infighting among members of the Malolos congress led to the spread of rumors saying that Mabini's paralysis had by caused by venereal disease - specifically, syphilis. This was debunked only in 1980, when Mabini's bones were exhumed and the autopsy proved once and for all that the cause of his paralysis was Polio (A. Ocampo, 2004).

RECORDED HISTORY (INTERNATIONAL): Venereal syphilis was first reported in Europe in the late 1400s, coincident with the return of Columbus from the New World. The disease quickly reached epidemic proportions in Europe and spread across the world during the early 16th century with the age of exploration. Syphilis was ubiquitous by the 19th century and has been called the acquired immune deficiency syndrome of that era. (F.F. Cartwright, 1972). MEDICAL MANAGEMENT AND THERAPEUTIC ADMINISTRATION (POST-PREVENTIVE): Antibiotics as prescribed (F.P. Cuevas, 2007).

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT AND THERAPEUTIC ADMINISTRATION (PRE-PREVENTIVE): As of 2010, there is no vaccine effective for prevention. Abstinence from intimate physical contact with an infected person is effective at reducing the transmission of syphilis, as is the proper use of a latex condom. Condom use, however, does not completely eliminate the risk (L.V. Stumm, 2010).Congenital syphilis in the newborn can be prevented by screening mothers during early pregnancy and treating those who are infected.

REFERENCES: F.V. Cuevas, 2007, Syphilis, Public Health Nursing in the Philippines A. Ocampo, (September 27, 2004), "Looking Back: News and gossip from Mabini", Philippine Daily Inquirer F. F. Cartwright, 1972 Disease and History L.V. Stamm (February 2010). "Global challenge of antibioticresistant Treponema pallidum". Antimicrob. Agents Chemother

Christopher Columbus

Apolinario Mabini

Electron micrograph of

Fetus infected with Congenital syphilis

Chancre, a sign of primary syphilis

Secondary syphilis effects on hands

secondary syphilis

Tertiary syphilis

Syphilis

congenital syphilis

syphilis

Syphilis

syphilis

syphilis