| A | B |
|---|
| Spirochetes | Gram-negative human pathogens |
| Spirochetes | Free living saprobes, or commensals of animals, not primary pathogens |
| saprobes | ny organism, esp a fungus or bacterium, that lives and feeds on dead organic matter |
| commensal | a parasitic organism that causes no harm to the host |
| examples of gram neg spirochetes | Treponema -Leptospira- Borrelia |
| Genus Treponema | Thin, regular, coiled cells- Live in the oral cavity, intestinal tract, and perigenital regions of humans and animals-- Pathogens are strict parasites with complex growth requirements-- Require live cells for cultivation |
| Treponema Treponema Pallidum-causes what disease | Causes Syphilis |
| Pallidum | Human is the natural host cannot survive long outside of the host Sexually transmitted and transplacental |
| Primary Syphilis | Spirochete binds to the epithelium, multiplies, and forms a chancre(open sore)--Fluid from the chancre is highly contagious Chancre spontaneously heals as the spirochete moves into the blood |
| Secondary Syphilis | Spirochete is multiplying in the bloodstream-- Rash forms on the skin, palms and soles with fever, headache and sore throat --The rash disappears spontaneously |
| Tertiary Syphilis | If left untreated, tertiary syphilis forms Damage to multiple tissues and organs -Gummas may develop |
| gummas | soft gummy tumor that develops in Tertiary Syphilis |
| Congenital Syphilis | T. pallidum can pass through the placenta to the fetus |
| Syphilis Diagnosis and Testing | Consider symptoms, history, microscopic, and serological testing RPR, VDRL, FTA-ABS Treatment: penicillin G |
| If a patient presents with a spotted rash and tests positive with a VDRL test, the most likely diagnosis is: Primary Syphilis -Secondary Syphilis- Tertiary Syphilis -Congenital Syphilis | Secondary Syphilis |
| Genus Borrelia | Large spirochetes with 3-10 coils irregularly spaced-- Borrelioses are transmitted by an arthropod vector |
| Genus Borrelia-examples | B. hermsii – relapsing fever B. burgdorferi – Lyme disease |
| B. Burgdorferi – | Lyme Disease |
| B. Burgdorferi – Lyme Disease | Acquired by tick bites-- Nonfatal mimics neuromuscular and rheumatoid conditions-- 50-70% get bull’s eye rash-- Fever, headache, stiff neck, and dizziness |
| Lyme Disease--treatment? | If untreated can progress to cardiac and neurological symptoms, polyarthritis Treated with tetracycline or amoxicillin |
