Treponema pallidum

overview

• Gram-negative bacterium
• Spirochete (helical), amphitrichous flagella for motility
• Microaerophilic

Pathogenesis

• Penetrates intact mucous membrane- results in original sore
• Within a few hours the bacterium has spread to tissues
• Can sometimes infect the CNS: neurosyphilis
• Spread via direct sexual contact or from mother to unborn baby

infection: primary stage

• First symptom is a sore closely resembling an ingrown hair or razor bump
• Sore is firm, round and painless 
• Sore will last 3-6 weeks regardless of treatment

infection: secondary stage

• Non-itchy, reddish-brown rash  
• Rash appears in places such as bottoms of feet and hands
• Cold-like symptoms such as fever, weight loss and sore throat
• Symptoms will disappear if left untreated 

infection: latent and late stages

• Following the latent stage the late stage can appear 10-30 years later 
• Can damage bones, joints, tissues and numerous other body parts
• Can lead to stroke, paralysis, heart disease and death
• Neurosyphilis: blindness, deafness, paralysis 

Diagnoses

• Often diagnosed via a blood test
• Can also test fluid from the potential sore

treatment

• Antibiotics such as penicillin 
• No cure for the damage already done to your tissues

prevention

• No sex
• Safe sex
• Knowing the sexual history of your partners

metabolic capabilities

• Large lack of metabolic capabilities
• Able to carry out glycolysis but unable to carry out:
• Oxidative phosphorylation, fermentation, citric acid cycle
• Lacks Electron Transport Chain

environment

• Extremely sensitive to environment
• Can only survive outside the human for a few hours or days
• Optimum pH is 7.2-7.4
• Optimum temperature is 30-37 degrees Celsius

energy

• From glycolysis
• Carbs: Glucose, galactose, glyercol
• In tissues, growth is from glucose, mannose and maltose

interesting facts

• One of the smallest genomes
• Known as the "great imitator" 

citations

• Ad1. LaFond, R. E., & Lukehart, S. A. (2006). Biological Basis For Syphilis. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 19(1), 29-49. d first list item here
• Add ano2. Peeling, R. W., Mabey, D., Herring, A., & Hook, E. W. (n.d.). The biology and pathogenesis of Treponema pallidum.Nature.com. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journal/v4/ther list item here
•  Syphilis. (n.d.). Syphilis. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.austincc.edu/microbio/2421b/t
• Syphilis & Neurosyphilis : What are the symptoms?. (n.d.). Syphilis & Neurosyphilis : What are the symptoms?. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Syphilis_
• Treponema pallidum. (n.d.). - MicrobeWiki. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/T

citations continued

•  Treponema pallidum. (n.d.). - encyclopedia article. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Treponema_p

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