Spirochetes

• What is the shape of Treponema bacteria?

  Long, slender, helically curved bacilli
• How many spirals do Treponema have?

  8 – 14 tightly coiled spirals
• What are axial filaments in Treponema?

  Flagella-like organelles that aid motility
• What are insertion disks in Treponema?

  Plate-like structures attaching axial filaments
• What are the pathogenic species of Treponema for humans?

  • Four pathogenic species:
  • Treponema pallidum
  • Treponema pertenue
  • Treponema carateum
  • Treponema endemicum
• Why are some Treponema species difficult to culture?

  They are non-cultivable and stain poorly
• What microscopy techniques are best for observing Treponema?

  Dark-field or phase contrast microscopy
• What disease is caused by Treponema pallidum?

  Syphilis
• How is syphilis transmitted?

  Direct sexual contact with infected lesions
• What is a chancre?

  A single, non-tender, firm lesion
• What are the symptoms of secondary syphilis?

  Fever, sore throat, rash, lymphadenopathy
• What are gummas in tertiary syphilis?

  Granulomatous lesions in various tissues
• What is the drug of choice for treating syphilis?

  Penicillin
• What is a common reaction after penicillin treatment for syphilis?

  Acute focal and systemic reaction
• What are the steps for specimen collection for syphilis diagnosis?

  1. Clean site with sterile saline
  2. Collect samples from lesions
  3. Use sterile swabs for PCR
  4. Place tissue in formalin for analysis
• What is the purpose of dark field microscopy in syphilis diagnosis?

  To visualize treponemes against a dark background
• What are treponemal antibodies?

  Antibodies produced against Treponema antigens
• What are non-treponemal antibodies?

  Antibodies produced against mammalian cell components
• What are the non-treponemal serologic tests for syphilis?

  1. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)
  2. Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
• What are the treponemal serologic tests for syphilis?

  1. Enzyme Immuno Assays (EIA)
  2. T. pallidum Particle Agglutination (TP-PA)
  3. Microhemagglutination Assay (MHA-TP)
  4. T. pallidum Indirect Hemagglutination (TPHA)
  5. Particle Gel Immunoassay (PaGIA)
  6. Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption (FTA-ABS)
• What is the role of PCR in syphilis diagnosis?

  To detect Treponema pallidum in lesions
• What are the characteristics of Yaws disease?

  • Caused by Treponema pertenue
  • Resembles syphilis
  • Rare tertiary stage
  • Treated with penicillin
• What are the characteristics of Bejel disease?

  • Caused by Treponema endemicum
  • Non-venereal disease
  • Found in developing countries
  • Transmitted through direct skin contact
• What is the first enzyme immunoassay listed?

  Enzyme Immuno Assays (EIA)
• What is the second test for T. pallidum detection?

  1. pallidum Particle Agglutination (TP-PA) Test
• What does MHA-TP stand for?

  Microhemagglutination Assay (MHA-TP)
• What is the fourth test mentioned for T. pallidum?

  1. pallidum Indirect Hemagglutination (TPHA)
• What does PaGIA stand for?

  Particle Gel Immunoassay (PaGIA)
• What is the FTA-ABS test used for?

  Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption Test
• Why are molecular diagnostics not widely available?

  Not currently available in many clinical labs
• What method is developed for Treponema pallidum detection?

  Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• What is PCR useful for in diagnostics?

  Identification of organisms in exudates or lesions
• What type of diseases are non-venereal diseases?

  Rarely transmitted by sexual contact
• What does congenital infection refer to?

  Infections that do not occur in congenital cases
• How many stages do non-venereal diseases have?

  All three stages have primary and secondary stages
• Where are these diseases commonly found?

  In developing countries with poor hygiene
• What is a common factor in the transmission of these diseases?

  Direct skin contact due to overcrowding
• What is the causative agent of Yaws?

  Treponema pallidum
• How does Yaws resemble syphilis?

  Resembles syphilis but tertiary stage is rare
• What is the treatment for Yaws?

  Readily treated with Penicillin