Case 2:

A 22-year-old woman is admitted in active labor. She had not received any prenatal care. Two months ago she had developed low grade fever, headache and generalized maculopapuIar rash. The rash subsided after two weeks. She reported that her boyfriend had a similar rash, which also involved his palms and soles. She delivered a male infant, who weighed 2100 grams. Physical examination of the baby revealed marked hepatosplenomegaly. The examination of the skin was significant for a hemorrhagic bullous rash distributed mostly on the palms and the soles of the feet. Infant was suspected to have congenital syphilis. Serum VDRL titer of the mother was 1:128 and the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (ETA-ABS) was 4+ positive. The cord blood VDRL titer was 1: 1024.

Questions

1. What is the organism causing syphilis?   Answer

2. How is the bacteria transmitted?  Answer

3. What is known about the pathogenesis of Congenital syphilis ?  Answer

4. What is known about the pathogenesis of Primary syphilis  Answer

5. What is known about the pathogenesis of Secondary syphilis:  Answer

6. What is known about the pathogenesis of Tertiary syphilis:  Answer

8. How is the diagnosis of syphilis made?  Answer

9. What antimicrobial agents are effective against this organism?  Answer

11. Are there any long term consequences of syphilis?  Answer