i
Syphilis
-
10 12 2017
-
-
Source: Nat Rev Dis Primers. 3:17073
[PDF-2.36 MB]
Details:
-
Alternative Title:Nat Rev Dis Primers
-
Personal Author:
-
Description:Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (T. pallidum) causes syphilis via sexual exposure or via vertical transmission during pregnancy. T. pallidum is renowned for its invasiveness and immune-evasiveness; its clinical manifestations result from local inflammatory responses to replicating spirochaetes and often imitate those of other diseases. The spirochaete has a long latent period during which individuals have no signs or symptoms but can remain infectious. Despite the availability of simple diagnostic tests and the effectiveness of treatment with a single dose of long-acting penicillin, syphilis is re-emerging as a global public health problem, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in high-income and middle-income countries. Syphilis also causes several hundred thousand stillbirths and neonatal deaths every year in developing nations. Although several low-income countries have achieved WHO targets for the elimination of congenital syphilis, an alarming increase in the prevalence of syphilis in HIV-infected MSM serves as a strong reminder of the tenacity of T. pallidum as a pathogen. Strong advocacy and community involvement are needed to ensure that syphilis is given a high priority on the global health agenda. More investment is needed in research on the interaction between HIV and syphilis in MSM as well as into improved diagnostics, a better test of cure, intensified public health measures and, ultimately, a vaccine.
-
Keywords:
-
Source:
-
Pubmed ID:29022569
-
Pubmed Central ID:PMC5809176
-
Document Type:
-
Funding:
-
Volume:3
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
