Spirochates

• What is a common characteristic of Treponema?

  GNB, long, slender, helically coiled
• What is the genus of Treponema?

  Treponema
• What species of Treponema causes syphilis?

  Treponema pallidum
• What subspecies of Treponema causes yaws?

  Treponema pertenue
• What subspecies of Treponema causes pinta?

  Treponema parateum
• What subspecies of Treponema is known as endemic syphilis?

  Treponema endemicum
• What is the genus of Borrelia?

  Borrelia
• What species of Borrelia causes relapsing fever?

  Borrelia recurrentis
• What species of Borrelia causes Lyme's disease?

  Borrelia burgdorferi
• What is the genus of Leptospira?

  Leptospira
• What species of Leptospira causes leptospirosis?

  Leptospira interrogans
• What are the diseases associated with Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira?

  • Treponema: Syphilis
  • Borrelia: Lyme's Disease
  • Leptospira: Leptospirosis
• What is the mode of transmission for syphilis?

  STD, congenital, parenteral (blood donation)
• How does Treponema enter the body?

  Through mucous membranes and skin cuts
• What is the incubation period for syphilis?

  2 to 6 weeks
• During which stages is syphilis infectious?

  1˚, 2˚, early latent (3-5 yrs)
• What happens to untreated persons with syphilis?

  30% cure spontaneously, 30% latent, 40% progress
• What is the vector for Lyme's disease?

  Small ticks (Ixodes species)
• What are the reservoir hosts for Borrelia?

  Mice, deer, rodents, birds
• How does Leptospira enter the human body?

  Through breaks in skin and mucous membranes
• What are the clinical manifestations of primary syphilis?

  Skin lesion - syphilitic chancre
• What are the clinical manifestations of secondary syphilis?

  Maculopapular rash and condylomas
• What are the clinical manifestations of tertiary syphilis?

  Granulomatous lesions (gummas)
• What is the primary skin lesion in Lyme's disease?

  Erythema migrans
• What are the clinical manifestations of leptospirosis?

  Flu-like illness, renal and liver involvement
• What is the laboratory diagnosis method for syphilis using microscopy?

  Dark-field microscopy of serous fluid
• What is the sensitivity of dark-field microscopy for syphilis?

  50-80% sensitive for 1˚ & 2˚ lesions
• What types of antibodies are produced in syphilitic infection?

  Specific and non-specific (cardiolipin antibodies)
• What is the purpose of the VDRL test in syphilis diagnosis?

  Presumptive diagnosis and treatment monitoring
• What does a positive result in the non-specific cardiolipin test indicate?

  Presence of reagin antibodies in blood
• What is the gold standard for leptospirosis diagnosis?

  Microscopic agglutination test (MAT)
• What is the treatment for syphilis?

  Benzathine Penicillin G
• What is the treatment for Lyme's disease?

  Doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime
• What is the treatment for leptospirosis?

  Oral doxycycline or amoxicillin
• What preventive measures can be taken against Lyme's disease?

  Avoid areas with ticks and use insecticides
• What preventive measures can be taken against leptospirosis?

  Avoid contaminated water and rodent control
• What are the stages of syphilis and their clinical manifestations?

  1. Primary Syphilis:

  • Syphilitic chancre

  1. Secondary Syphilis:

  • Maculopapular rash
  • Condylomas

  1. Tertiary Syphilis:

  • Granulomatous lesions (gummas)
• What are the laboratory diagnosis methods for syphilis?

  • Dark-field microscopy
  • Serological testing (VDRL, RPR, TPHA)
  • CSF analysis for neurosyphilis
• What are the laboratory diagnosis methods for Lyme's disease?

  • Serology (antibody detection)
  • PCR (antigen detection)
• What are the laboratory diagnosis methods for leptospirosis?

  • Blood, CSF, tissue, urine specimens
  • Darkfield microscopy
  • Culture on selective media
  • Serology (MAT, enzyme immunoassay)