Syphilis: Today
October 2010
in “
Reviews in Medical Microbiology
”
TLDR Syphilis is becoming more common and remains a major health problem due to challenges in prevention and treatment.
The 2010 document highlights the resurgence of syphilis, with an increasing incidence worldwide and a particular concern for cases diagnosed during pregnancy, leading to congenital syphilis. It reviews the microbiology of Treponema pallidum, the causative agent, its clinical manifestations, and the challenges in culturing the bacterium and understanding its pathogenesis. The document details the immune response to T. pallidum, including the role of lipoproteins and antigens in the infection process, and the clinical course of syphilis, which can include diffuse, reversible hair loss during the secondary stage. Diagnostic methods, such as serological tests and PCR, are essential, especially in difficult cases. The paper concludes that syphilis remains a significant public health issue due to its increasing incidence and the complexity of its prevention and treatment, despite past optimism about its elimination.
