Sketchy Micro: Treponema Pallidum Flashcards
What is the shape of Treponema pallidum?
Spiral (like the spiral galaxy and the spiral staircase)
What is needed for direct visualization of Treponema pallidum?
Darkfield microscopy
Think of the Darkfield Galaxy.
What screening test is used to identify?
VDRL –venereal disease research laboratory
(Think of the Video Display Research Laboratory –it’s a screen, which is meant to indicate that this is just a screening test for syphilis and not a definitive confirmation.)
Which disorders can cause a false-positive VDRL test?
- Mono
- RA
- SLE
- IV drug use
- Leprosy
____________ can confirm diagnosis of syphilis.
FTA-Ab (which detects antibodies to Treponema pallidum)
Think of the Field Test A-Ab telescope.
Why is syphilis painless?
Because it causes ischemic necrosis that kills nerves
(The painlessness is represented by the astronomer whose butt is being poked but is still working – like he hasn’t noticed.)
Why is there a solar system in the basement of the observatory?
It’s meant to represent systemic infection.
What rash is typical of secondary syphilis?
A maculopapular rash on the hands and feet (just like the astronaut’s red gloves and boots)
Other than the maculopapular rash, what dermatologic finding may be found in secondary syphilis?
Condyloma lata
Think of the bumpy planet that the astronaut is pointing to.
Describe gummas.
Soft growths with firm centers that can appear anywhere in the body
(The moon’s craters are meant to represent this.)
Why does syphilis cause thoracic aortic aneurysms?
As with syphilis’s other manifestations, this results from destruction of small blood vessels – in this case from destroyed vaso vasorum.
(Think of the tree outside.)
____________ can present with pupil response to accommodation but not light.
Argyle-Robertson pupils
Think of the kid shining the light into the face of the man wearing the argyle sweater.
What signs indicate congenital syphilis?
Saber shins, an anterior bowing of the tibia (think of Orion’s saber)
Saddle nose (like the horse’s saddle)
Notched incisors and enamel outgrowths on molars (kids shivering and chattering teeth)
Deafness (kids with earmuffs)
What is the treatment for syphilis?
Penicillin (even in allergic people, sensitization to syphilis is recommended)
(Think of all the purple pencils.)
What reaction indicates that penicillin is working?
Jarisch-Herxheimer, a febrile, sepsis-like reaction that indicates that T. pallidum is being cleared
