Spirochetes (Trep, Lepto, Borrelia) Flashcards
(34 cards)
Spirochetes General
- Gram Negative
- Spiral shaped
- Very thin, need Dark-field microscope to view (Tyndall phen.)
- Giemsa stain, Silver-impreg
- Endoflagella, highly motile
Treponema Genus
Split into 2 groups:
- Apathogenic: Normal microbiota of Oral, GI, Genital mucosa
- Pathogenic: Cause disease
Apathogenic Treponema
- T. Minutum
- T. Reiteri
- T. Denticola
- T. Phagedenis
Pathogenic Treponema
- T. Pallidum (ssp)
- T. Carateum, Skin infection, Pinta
- T. Vincenti, Throat infection, Plaut-Vincent Angina
T. Palladium ssp
- Palladium: Systemic infection, Syphilis
- Endemicum: Skin infection, Endemic Syphilis (Bejel)
- Pertenue: Skin infection, Framboesia/Yaws
Tropical Infections
Non-sexual contact = Endemic Treponematosis
- T. Pallidum ssp. Endemicum
- T. Pallidum ssp. Pertenue
- T. Carateum
(all positive syphilis tests)
Bejel
= Endemic Syphilis
- T. Pallidum ssp. Endemicum
- Chronic Skin infection usually on Face
- Common Eastern Mediterranean regions & West Africa
Framboesia
= Yaws
- T. Pallidum ssp. Pertenue
- Nodules on Skin
- Ulcerations
- Bone deformities
- Children in Africa, Asia, & South America
Pinta
T. Carateum
- Erythema of skin
- Later into Hyperkeratosis
- Central & South America
Plaut-Vincent Angina
- T. Vincentii & Fusobacteria mix
- Unilateral Throat Infection
- Gingivostomatitis, Nec. Tonsilitis, Plaut-Vincent Angina, Spread of Necrosis
T. Pallidum ssp. Pallidum General Info
- Sexually spread
- Transplacental or Vertical = Congenital Syphilis
- From blood transitions or Organ transplants
- Risk factors: MSM, Unprotected, Multiple partners
ssp. Pallidum Cultivation
- Can NOT be cultured on media
- Kept alive in Rabbit Testicles
- Extremely Sensitive (cannot survive outside body)
Primary Syphilis
- Incubation of 3 weeks
- Painless Chancre called Ulcus Durum at site of infection
- Regional Lymphadenopathy
- Followed by asymptomatic period = Infectious
Secondary Syphilis
- 8-12 weeks after Primary infection
- Generalized Lymphadenopathy
- Bacteria disseminate in BS, fever, myalgia, headache, fatigue
- Rash on skin (maculopapular) on palms & soles
- Condyloma Lata: Lesions in mucous membranes (wart-like)
Latent Syphilis
- Infection remains asymptomatic but bacteria persists
- Early latent: infectious for 12m
- Late latent: non-infectious >12m but can transmit congenitally
- Disease may resolve, reactivate, or progress to Tertiary Syphilis
Tertiary Syphilis
- Gummatous Syphilis: Gummas form with necrotic center
- Cardiovascular Syphilis: Aortic aneurisms,…
- Neurosyphilis: CNS, dementia, tabes dorsalis of s.c
Congenital Syphilis
- Can cause miscarriage or Stillbirth
- Early congen: Rash, hepatomegaly & jaundice (first 2 years of life)
- Late congen: Intrstitial Keratitis, Huntingtons teeth, Deafness, Saber shins, saddle nose (>2yo)
Syphilis Diagnosis
- DF-Microscopy only in stage 1
- Serology
- PCR
Syphilis Serology
- Non-Specific: VRDL/RPR, Non-treponemal antigens (cardiolipin) = tissue damage
- Specific: FTA-Abs/ELISA/TPPA/TPHA, T.pallidum antigens
Syphilis Treatment & side effects
- Penicillin!!
- Allergy: Doxycycline or Ceftriaxone
- IM injection
- Side effects: Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (flu-like) due to LPS
- No vaccine
Borrelia General Info
- Spread by Vectors: Ticks, Lice
- Animal to Human, or Human to Human
Borrelia Morphology
- Spirochetes (G-)
- Microaerophilic, Fastidious, Cultivation usually unsuccessful
- Wont stay alive outside body
Borrelia Diseases
- Epidemic Relapsing fever
- Endemic/Tick-borne relapsing fever
- Lyme disease
Epidemic Relapsing Fever
- Borrelia Recurrentis
- Body louse
- Systemic Infection
- Bacteria hide in RES & change antigenicity and relapse
