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Syphilis Research Paper

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Causative Agent: Treponema pallidum

Disease: Syphilis

Classification of the causative agent:
• Gram – bacteria
• Spiral in shape (spirochete, belonging to family Spirochaeticea)
• Cannot grow on standard media culture (the are considered microaerophilic)

History:
• The bacterial disease Syphilis has been known since the dawn of the New World, since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

• It has been known to be one of the most common infections in world, next to gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but can also be transmitted from mother to fetus (known as congenital syphilis).

• The spirochete is able to pass through intact mucous membranes or broken skin, thus rendering it transmissible …show more content…

• In 1767 an English physician by the name of John Hunter inoculated himself with pus from a patient thought to have had symptoms of gonorrhea and in fact gave himself syphilis. It was not until 1879 that the causative agent of gonorrhea was discovered and correctly described by Albert Ludwig Sigesmund Neisser; the pathogen was named in his honor (could you imagine having an STD named after you?). A few years later Neisser documented the effects of gonorrhea in volunteer human test subjects.

• An interesting fact is that squamous epithelium is not a susceptible tissue for the bacteria to harbor. Squamous epithelium tissue is that of the adult vagina. However, the prepubescent vagina is not yet formed with squamous epithelium and is susceptible to the bacteria.

• Having a case of gonorrhea is associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

• Slang terms include “the clap”, Gleet, Morning Drip, and Running Rage

Virulence factors of the causative …show more content…

Conversely, symptoms may not develop for up to 30 days. Gonorrhea may not cause symptoms until the infection has spread to other areas of the body.

Signs and symptoms: Men:
• A burning sensation when urinating;
• A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common)
• Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. Women:
• Painful or burning sensation when urinating
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding between periods.
• Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Both:
• Discharge
• Anal itching
• Soreness
• Bleeding
• Painful bowel movements.

If untreated, gonorrhea can increase a person's risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV.

Treatments:
Testing for gonorrhea can be completed by analyzing a urine sample or a swab of an affected area. Swab samples are commonly taken from the penis, cervix, urethra, anus, and throat. Previous infection does not confer immunity - a person who has been infected can become infected again by exposure to someone who is

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