Syphilis differential diagnosis: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:51, 17 December 2012

Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted disease caused by the Treponema pallidum spirochete. The route of transmission of syphilis is almost always by sexual contact, although there are examples of congenital syphilis via transmission from mother to child in utero. In fact, the disease was dubbed the "Great Imitator" because it was often confused with other diseases, particularly in its tertiary stage. Hence, patients with tertiary syphilis should also be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis and HIV infection.

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 ==Overview==
 Syphilis is a curable [[sexually transmitted disease]] caused by the ''[[Treponema pallidum]]'' [[spirochete]]. The route of transmission of syphilis is almost always by [[sexual]] contact, although there are examples of [[congenital syphilis]] via transmission from mother to child [[in utero]]. In fact, the disease was dubbed the "Great Imitator" because it was often confused with other diseases, particularly in its tertiary stage. Hence, patients with tertiary syphilis should also be tested for other [[STD|sexually transmitted diseases]] such as [[chlamydia]], [[gonorrhea]], [[trichomoniasis]], [[bacterial vaginosis]] and [[HIV|HIV infection]].
-==Diseases caused by other species of Treponema==
-These diseases are caused by other species or subspecies of ''[[Treponema]]'':
-*[[Yaws]] is a tropical disease characterized by an infection of the skin, bones and joints; it is caused by a spirochete bacterium, ''Treponema pallidum, sp. pertenue'', also called ''Treponema pertenue''
-*[[Pinta (disease)|Pinta]] - caused by ''Treponema carateum''
-*[[Bejel]] - caused by ''Treponema endemicum''
 ==Differential diagnosis==