This PowerPoint presentation was compiled and prepared by Platon S. Plakar, Jr a student majoring in Physician Assistant at Cuttington University. This presentation provides a brief understanding of Syphilis, an infectious disease condition that affects people exposed to sexual contact.

1. Syphilis

2. Group members
Stephen O. Malayea ……………………………………………………………….. 219327
Theresa L. Gibson …………………………………………………………………….
Joyce G. Trosen
Moses L. Sammie
Francess B. Akoi
Romell M. Hiama
Danny K. Wreh, Jr.
Eva Garpeh
Georgia N. Williams

3. Introduction
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an infection
with spirochete bacteria known as Treponema pallidum. Like other STDs,
syphilis can be spread by any type of sexual contact. Syphilis can also be
spread from an infected mother to the fetus during pregnancy or to the
baby at the time of birth.
The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending in which of the four
stages it presents (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary).
 The primary stage classically presents with a single chancre (a firm,
painless, non-itchy skin ulceration) but there may be multiple sores. In
secondary syphilis a diffuse rash occurs, which frequently involves the
palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may also be sores in
the mouth or vagina.
 In latent syphilis, which can last for years, there are few or no
symptoms. In tertiary syphilis there are gummas (soft non-cancerous
growths Syphilis has been described for centuries. It can cause long-
term damage to different organs if not properly treated).

4. Definition
What is Syphilis?
• Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum
• Time between infection and start of first symptom
is 10-90 days
• Diagnosed by
– Dark field microscopy of material taken from a
lesion or lymph node
– Serologic tests (RPR & VDRL)1

5. Epidemiology & mode Transmission
• A chronic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum, either
transmitted by direct contact, usually in sexual intercourse, or passed from
mother to child in utero, and progressing through three stages
characterized respectively by local formation of chancres, ulcerous skin
eruptions, and systemic infection that leads to general paresis.
• Bacteria enter body through minute abrasions in skin
• Transmitted through contact with moist lesions, especially during sexual
activity
• Rate of transmission from infected sexual partner is about 30%-60%1
• Primary, secondary, and early latent stage account for nearly all
transmission
• Syphilis may also be acquired congenitally (at birth

7. Etiology
• Etiology The cause of syphilis is infection with the spirochete T pallidum.T
pallidum is solely a human pathogen and does not naturally occur in
other species. T pallidum has, however, been cloned in Escherichia coli
and has been used experimentally in rabbits. Transmission of T pallidum
occurs via penetration of the spirochetes through mucosal membranes
and abrasions on epithelial surfaces.
• Other causes for syphilis disease are: Bacteriology Treponema pallidum
subspecies pallidum is a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative, highly mobile
bacterium.
1. Augenbraun M. 2003. In: Dale DC.

8. Symptoms of syphilis
Signs and symptoms The first symptoms of syphilis can take 10 days to 3
weeks to appear after infection. The most common symptom is a painless
sore that appears where the virus was transmitted - normally on the penis,
vagina or anus. Your lymph glands (in the neck, groin or armpit) may also
swell.
 a non-itchy skin rash
 small skin growths on the vulva (in women) and around the anus (in
both men and women)
 flu-like symptoms such as tiredness, headaches, joint pains and fever
 swollen lymph glands
 weight loss
 hair loss.
A third of people who are not treated for syphilis develop serious
symptoms at this stage including:
 A maculopapular rash is pre- sent on the palm
 Stroke, dementia, loss of co-ordination
 Numbness, paralysis, blindness, deafness, heart disease, skin rashes.

9. Incubation
Tertiary
Late latent
Primary
Secondary
Early latent
1-3 wks
3-6 wks
3-12
wks
< 1 yr
1-5
yrs
many years
Infectious & symptomatic
Noninfectious & symptomatic
Infectious & asymptomatic
Noninfectious & asymptomatic
Stages of Syphilis
(approximate duration)

10. Epidemiology (Incidence)
 In 2012, about 0.5% of adults were infected with syphilis, with 6 million new
cases. In 1999 it is believed to have infected 12 million additional people, with
greater than 90% of cases in the developing world. It affects between 700,000
and 1.6 million pregnancies a year, resulting in spontaneous abortions,
stillbirths, and congenital syphilis. During 2010, it caused about 113,000
deaths, down from 202,000 in 1990. In sub-Saharan Africa, syphilis contributes
to approximately 20% of perinatal deaths. Rates are proportionally higher
among intravenous drug users, those who are infected with HIV, and men who
have sex with men.

11. Pathogenesis of Syphilis

12. Pathogenesis cont……

13. Diagnoses
Syphilis can be diagnosed by testing samples of:
 Blood. Blood tests can confirm the presence of antibodies that the body produces
to fight infection. The antibodies to the syphilis-causing bacteria remain in your
body for years, so the test can be used to determine a current or past infection.
 Cerebrospinal fluid. If it's suspected that you have nervous system complications of
syphilis, your doctor may also suggest collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid
through a lumbar puncture. However, there are other procedures used likewise.

14. Syphilis chancre

15. Prevention
• Syphilis is an infectious disease but it is preventable to a large
extent. The best and the
most certain method of prevention of this infection is to avoid sexual
contact or only to
maintain sexual contact with one faithful partner who has been tested
and is not infected.
• Safe sex measures-having sex with one partner or by using protective
sheath.

16. Treatment

17. Conclusion
Syphilis
chancre
 Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
caused by an infection with spirochete bacteria
known as Treponema pallidum.
 Syphilis is a curable disease, but can cause
substantial morbidity and mortality if left untreated.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment is important.

18. Refference
1- http://www.homeoresearch.com/differences-of-chancres-with-reference/
2- https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/syphilis
3- Venzmer G. O boala care dispare, Sifilisul. Atelierele Adevarul. 1933
4http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.100
13965- Rubin E., Gorstein F., Rubin R., et al. (Eds.) (2012). Rubin’s pathology:
Clinicopathologic foundations of medicine (6th ed., p. 376). Philadelphia, PA:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.)