The document summarizes information about syphilis, including that it is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has stages of primary, secondary, latent and tertiary infection, and is typically transmitted sexually. It is estimated that there are 6 million new cases globally each year, with approximately 30,000 cases in India in 2015. Syphilis can affect multiple body systems and be treated with antibiotics like penicillin, cephalosporins, tetracyclines and probenacid.

1. Dr.V. S. Swathi
Assistant Professor

2.  Syphilis is caused by the spirochete
Treponema pallidum and is characterised by
three sequential clinical, symptomatic
stages separated by periods of
asymptomatic latent infections.

3.  Each year, there are an estimated 6 million
new cases of syphilis globally in persons
aged 15-49 years
 In 2015, syphilis cases found in India were
30,000 approximately

4. PrimarySyphilis
 It appears after 10-90 days of infection
 one or more small painless sores appears in or around the genitals,
anus and mouth
Secondary Syphilis
 It appears 2-8 weeks after infection
 It affects circulatory and lymphatic system
Latent Syphilis
 It appears after 4-10 weeks after infection
 In this stage patient does not show any symptoms
 Microbes will spread all over the body
Tertiary Syphilis
 It appears after 10-30 years after infection
 In this stage brain, heart, eyes, bones and joints are affected

5.  Persons having unprotected sex
 HIV patients
 Persons with multiple sex partners
 Unborn babies of mothers who are having
Syphilis

6.  It is caused by bacterium called Treponema
pallidum
 It is mostly transmitted by sexual
intercourse with affected patients with
Syphilis
 It can also transmitted to baby by mother
with Syphilis
 Occasionally it is transmitted through
contact with lesions of infected patients
and through blood transfusions

9. Primary Syphilis
 Chancres on skin
Secondary Syphilis
 Number of mucocutaneous eruptions
 Malaise
 Fever
 Pharyngitis
 Headache
 Anorexia
 Arthralgia

10. Latent Syphilis- Asymptomatic
Tertiary Syphilis:
Neurosyphilis
 Severe headache
 Difficulty in coordinating muscle movements
 Paralysis
 Numbness
 Dementia
Ocular Syphilis
 Blurred division
 Blindness

11.  Neurosyphilis
 Ocular syphilis
 Cardiovascular syphilis
 Congenital syphilis
 Joint/ bone syphilis

12.  Microscopic examination of serous material
from a suspected syphilis lesion
 Direct fluorescent antibody test for
Treponema pallidum (DFA-TP)
 Venereal disease research laboratory test
(VDRL) slide test
 Rapid plasma regain (RPR) card test
 Unheated serum reagin (USR) test
 Toludene red unheated serum test (TRUST)
 PCR test

14.  Counselling to avoid unprotected sex,
having multiple sex partners
 Take proper measures to keep environment
hygienic

16. Drug Category Mode of action Dose Adverse effects
Benzathine
Penicillin G
Penicillin Inhibit bacterial
cell wall
synthesis
2.4 million
units once
weekly- IM
 Skin rashes
 Urticaria
 Serum sickness reactions
 Jarisch- Harxheimer
reaction
 Pseudomembranous colitis
Aqueous
procaine
penicillin
Penicillin Inhibit bacterial
cell wall
synthesis
2.4 million
units once
daily- IM
for 10-14
days with
Probenacid
 Skin rashes
 Urticaria
 Serum sickness reactions
 Jarisch- Harxheimer
reaction
 Pseudomembranous colitis
Aqueous
crystalline
penicillin
Penicillin Inhibit bacterial
cell wall
synthesis
18-24
million
units once
daily- IM
for 10-14
days
 Seizures
 Anaemia
 Interstitial nephritis
 Jarisch- Harxheimer
reaction
 Hypersensitivity

17. Ceftrioxone Cephalosporin Inhibit bacterial
cell wall synthesis
1-2g-IM/ IV
four times for
28 days
 Eosinophilia
 Thrombocytosis
 Diarrhoea
 Hepatotoxicity
 Nephrotoxicity
Tetracycline Tetracycline Inhibit bacterial
protein synthesis
500mg- four
times orally
for 14-28 days
 Epigastric distress
 Teeth discoloration
 Photosensitivity
 Nephrotoxicity
 Hepatotoxicity
Doxycycline Tetracycline Inhibit bacterial
protein synthesis
100mg-twice
daily for 14
days
 Anorexia
 Tooth discoloration
 Diarrhoea
 Dysphagia
 Enterocolitis
Probenacid Uricosuric agent Along with
penicillin it
increases penicillin
levels in body by
inhibiting tubular
secretion of
penicillin
500mg- four
times- orally
for 10-14 days
along with Aq.
Procaine
Penicillin
 Anaemia
 Leucopoenia
 Renal calculi
 Exacerbation of gout
 Gouty Arthralgia

18.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
/PMC5434955/
 http://www.neurologyindia.com/text.asp?
2016/64/7/131/178060
 http://www.ijmm.org/text.asp?2016/34/1/1
11/167674
 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.04.014
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
/PMC4386224/