spirochetes

• What are the three genera of spirochetes mentioned?

  Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira
• How do spirochetes multiply?

  By transverse fission
• What type of motility do spirochetes exhibit?

  Corkscrew motility
• What is the length range of Treponema pallidum?

  6 to 20 µm
• What disease is caused by Treponema pallidum?

  Syphilis
• What are other names for syphilis?

  Franch disease, Italian disease, Great Pox
• Why is Treponema pallidum difficult to observe under bright-field microscopy?

  Because they are very thin
• What microscopy technique is best for observing Treponema pallidum's morphology?

  Dark field microscopy
• What is the incubation period for syphilis?

  2 to 3 weeks
• How is Treponema pallidum cultivated?

  Maintained in testicular chancres of rabbits
• What are the stages of syphilis?

  1. Primary stage: Hard Chancre
  2. Secondary stage: Condylomata Lata
  3. Latent stage: Asymptomatic
  4. Tertiary stage: Gamma's
• What appears during the primary stage of syphilis?

  Hard Chancre or Hunterian Chancre
• When does the primary stage of syphilis appear?

  After 10 days to several months
• What laboratory diagnosis methods are used for syphilis?

  Darkfield microscopy, special stains, serological tests
• What is the modified version of VDRL?

  RPR
• What characterizes the secondary stage of syphilis?

  Condylomata Lata lesions
• When does the secondary stage of syphilis appear?

  After 6 to 8 weeks
• What organs can be involved during the secondary stage of syphilis?

  CNS, liver, bones, and eyes
• What is the latent stage of syphilis characterized by?

  Asymptomatic, dormant, or hidden
• How long can the latent stage of syphilis last?

  3 to 30 years
• What happens if the latent stage of syphilis is not treated?

  Progression to tertiary stage
• What is the drug of choice for treating syphilis?

  Penicillin
• What is the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction?

  Reactions observed after treatment with heavy metals
• How is congenital syphilis transmitted?

  From mother to fetus through placenta
• What characterizes early onset congenital syphilis?

  Mucocutaneous lesions and CNS involvement
• What is the Hutchinson Triad?

  Deafness, blindness, and notched teeth
• What is the gold standard confirmatory test for leptospirosis?

  Microscopic Agglutination Test
• What is the causative agent of Weil's disease?

  Leptospira interrogans var icterohemorrhagiae
• What are the signs and symptoms of leptospirosis?

  Mild fever to severe illness including jaundice
• What is the incubation period for leptospirosis?

  10 to 12 days
• What is the primary transmission route for Leptospira interrogans?

  Contact from animal urine or contaminated water
• What is the optimal growth temperature for Leptospira?

  28-30°C
• What is the primary disease caused by Borrelia?

  Relapsing fever
• How many axial filaments does Borrelia have?

  30 to 40 axial filaments
• What is the preferred stain for Borrelia visualization?

  Giemsa stain
• What is the primary specimen type for diagnosing Borrelia?

  Biopsy and autopsy material
• What is the blood picture associated with Borrelia infection?

  Monocytosis and slight anemia
• What is the laboratory diagnosis method for Borrelia?

  Staining with Giemsa, Wright, or Romanowsky
• What are the distinct features of Leptospira interrogans serovars?

  • L. interrogans serovar icterohemorrhagiae: Weil's disease
  • L. interrogans serovar hebdomalis: 7-day fever
  • L. interrogans serovar canicola: Infectious jaundice
  • L. interrogans serovar mitis/pomona: Swineherd's disease
  • L. interrogans serovar grippotyphosa: March fever
  • L. interrogans serovar autumnalis: Fort Bragg fever
• What is the disease caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue?

  Yaws or Frambesia