Syphilis differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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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 sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis and HIV infection.

Differentiating Syphilis from other Diseases

• Candidiasis
• Chancroid
• Condyloma acuminata
• Drug eruptions
• Genital warts
• Granuloma inguinale
• Herpes simplex
• Herpes zoster
• HIV
• Lymphogranuloma venereum
• Urethritis
• Urinary tract infection
• Varicella zoster
• Yaws

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 - caused by Treponema carateum
• Bejel - caused by Treponema endemicum

References

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