Syphilis

Lisa A. Spacek, M.D., Ph.D., Khalil G. Ghanem, M.D.

PATHOGENS

  • Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum: a microaerophilic spirochete and etiology of syphilis, a chronic bacterial infection.[1][13]
    • Invades CNS and causes congenital infection, unlike endemic treponematoses
  • Endemic (i.e., nonvenereal) treponematoses: T. pallidum subsp. pertenue → yaws; T. carateum → pinta; T. pallidum subsp. endemicum → bejel.
    • Acquisition at a younger age, primary lesion occurs on extremity

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Last updated: August 7, 2021