Syphilis
This remains as one of the most important communicable diseases in man that is characterized by an initial cutaneous lesion and later widespread systemic dissemination usually not accompanied by disturbing signs and symptoms. This disease may have a period of latency that may precede a serious crippling or fatal lesions.
The organism responsible for syphilis is Treponema pallidum. This is a spiral, motile and slender organism. The acquired infection is almost always transmitted by sexual contact. Congenital syphilis maybe contracted by the fetus through the placenta as long as the spirochetemia persists in the mother. If infected, may cause late abortion, stillbirth or death soon after delivery or may remain as a latent infection and may become obvious only in childhood or later life.
Clinically, babies with early congenital syphilis will show a characteristic pallor of the skin different from that of other types of anemia. It is slightly brownish yellow or grayish tan. Other symptoms include:- fever
– uneasiness
– irritability with incessant crying
– failure to gain weight
When syphilitic manifestations are present at birth, the infection is severe with visceral involvement and mortality is high. Chronic coryza or snuffles may signal the appearance of a variety of rashes, mucocutaneous lesions, painful pseudoparalysis of limbs, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy and symptoms mimicking meningitis.
Clinically, we also see skin eruptions especially in the soles, palms, around the mouth, eyebrows, the anus and nails. In the bones, it is in the form of periostitis, osteochondritis or osteomyelitis.
Late manifestations of syphilis infection include:
– syphilis of the eye
– neurosyphilis
– syphilis of the bones and joints
– and the gummata
Newborns may die of unexpected severe syphilitic infection. If early infection is adequately treated, lesions may disappear but the periostitis may persist for a long time. And because of this, it is important for all expectant mothers to have good prenatal care. Serologic tests may be performed at the beginning of prenatal care and repeated once during pregnancy. Infected pregnant women should be adequately treated before the last month of pregnancy. The partner or the father and the siblings should also be checked for syphilis.