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
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• 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
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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
STDs, are also known as venereal diseases, is a term that refers to more than 50 diseases and syndromes which have been transmitted through the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. All though you can contract some STDs, such as herpes and/or HPV, by kissing, caressing, and/or direct contact with infected areas. STDs can be
CS is acquired by vertical transmission of the bacterium Treponema pallidum from infected mother to unborn fetus while it is still in the uterus. If the mother delivers with active genital lesions, the newborn may also contract CS from direct contact with mucus membranes. “The overall risk of transplacental infection of the fetus is about 60 to 80%, and the likelihood is increased during the second half of the pregnancy”(Caserta, 2013). Mothers with untreated syphilis can transmit the bacterium at any stage (primary, secondary, latent,
STD’s have been around for a long time, dating back to 1550 B.C. During this time the first recorded form of an STD was found. They were reported to be found in Europe. Gonorrhea and Syphilis are recorded to be the two most common diseases in Europe. Some men on Christopher Columbus’s voyage brought back syphilis with them. Syphilis causes progressive destruction of the brain and spinal cord, leading to mental dysfunction and hallucinations, speech problems and general paresis (G. Burg). The common knowledge of STD’s have been around but have not been able to be treated up until around the late 1700s.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the obligate human pathogen that causes the sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea. This Gram-negative diplococci/gonococci does not infect other animals or experimental animals and does not survive freely in the environment. The gonococcal infection occurs in the upper or lower tract, pharynx, ophthalmic area, rectum, and bloodstream. During the 1980’s gonorrhea was also referred to as “the clap” when public awareness was quite minimal. This was one of the venereal diseases prostitutes hoped to contract since it resulted in infertility by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). As documentation, diagnostic testing, and public awareness improved, there has been a decline
Syphilis is a rare sexually transmitted disease that causes serious health problems and complications if left untreated. This disease has stages and many symptoms. Both genders can contract it, but it can be cured and certainly prevented.
Gonorrhea is an infection with the bacteriaum 'Nisseria gohorrhoea (GC) which causes gonorrheal infections "the second most commonly reported communicable disease" and which are "easily treated with appropriate antibiotics, but drug-resistant strains are on the rise." (Cook County Department of Health, nd)
There are two theories to its nature: that it was brought over through the Columbian Exchange, and that it was present in the Americas before Columbus’ first voyage (123). Some theories state that it existed in the Old World in a mild form, then with the arrival of the Europeans, it mutated into the killer the Native Americans knew it as (126). It seems more likely that the disease existed in the Old World prior to 1493, since there are no records of syphilis on the voyage (137). Another theory presents the idea that syphilis is worldwide, but has different names and forms in different regions (142). Whatever the case, the disease is transmitted sexually, and the Europeans knew it to be an epidemic when the allegiance to marital fidelity crumbled in a society (148). Popular remedies for syphilis were mercury and guaiacum (153). A regular intake of mercury was known to cure syphilis, but the metal itself killed the patient (153). The New World provided another possible cure in the form of guaiacum wood, which made the patient sweat profusely in hopes to literally “sweat” the disease out of their system (152). Syphilis ruthlessly killed thousands of Native Americans during its run, but by the 17th century, it became considered a dangerous, but bearable infection
During sexual intercourse, the bacteria is transferred from the sore of the person and enters the moist membranes of the sexual partner’s penis, vagina, mouth, or rectum. Once the bacteria enter the body, it multiplies at a fast rate. The bacteria enter the lymph circulation, which carries the bacteria to adjacent lymph glands, which swells as a response to the infection. During the first stages of the disease, which is called primary syphilis and lasts for a few weeks, sores and ulcers begin to develop, particularly in the genital area of the victim. Blood tests during this stage may not reveal the disease yet, but the bacteria can be scraped from the sores. Eventually, the sores will heal, and the victim may recover from the disease without any treatment.
Inform any sexual partners about your infection. Even if they do not have symptoms and have a negative test result, they should still be treated for chlamydia
The most common sexually transmitted infection is Chlamydia. About three million people are infected yearly (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004). It is especially common among teens and young adults. As is the case with many sexually transmitted infections, Chlamydia often has no symptoms and over half of the people infected have no idea they have anything to worry about (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004). Chlamydia can infect the genitals, eyes, and throat (Friedman & Skancke, 2009). Symptoms, when present, include painful or burning urination, discolored discharge, and uncomfortable swelling (Sutton, 2006). If Chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to the inability to produce offspring in both males and females (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) " gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium. Gonorrhea can grow easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus." This disease is often referred to as the clap and has been around for a very long time.
Syphilis is one of the oldest sexually transmitted diseases in the world. The first recording of Syphilis was in Europe in 1495, but there is believed to be earlier cases that weren’t recognized. “The transatlantic origin of syphilis is still controversial as there was evidence of an endemic syphilis in Asia Minor before 1492” (JG, 1990) . There has not been a definitive origin for this disease and there were several different hypotheses on how it came to the United States. There have been 2 main theories proposed. The first was the New World or Columbian theory and the Old World or pre-Columbian theory. The first theory holds that the syphilis endemic started in the part of the world now known as Haiti and was then acquired and carried to Europe by Columbus in the 1400s. The second theory, pre-Columbian theory implies that syphilis began in central Africa and was brought to Europe prior to the voyage by Columbus. Recent studies have shown genetic differences between these organisms. Regardless of where the beginning of syphilis started, by 1495 a widespread syphilis epidemic had spread throughout Europe, and then on to India in 1498 and China in 1505. Since its discovery in Europe there have been many speculations that many famous ranging from political figures, musicians and some literary greats may have had syphilis. Some of those were Adolf Hitler, Ivan the Terrible, Henry VIII, Shakespeare, Napoleon, Abraham Lincoln, Lenin (Vladimir Ulyanov), Friedrich Nietzsche,
Syphilis is a bacterial STD caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria. Syphilis is transmitted “through direct contact with a syphilis sore (“STD Facts-Syphilis” 2010).” The contagious sores can be chancre sores, which occur in the
Syphilis is a highly contagious disease that is spread through sexual activity including oral sex and anal sex. You could also occasionally pass this disease by prolonged kissing or by close body contact. The disease is spread through sores but most of the time the sores are unrecognizable and by the time you notice it you most likely have passed it onto your sexual partner. Pregnant women that have syphilis could also pass it onto their babies. The type of syphilis that the baby would develop is called congenital syphilis which would lead to abnormalities or it could also lead to death. Syphilis is caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum. The syphilis disease have three stages to it, primary/early syphilis, secondary, and the
Sexually transmitted diseases are known as STDs or STIs, which stands for sexually transmitted infections. STDs and STIs are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs affect guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex, including oral and anal sex, and having skin to skin contact with an infected area or sore. Common STDs include Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis A, B, and C.