SYPHILIS

Course overview

SYPHILIS IS A SYSTEMIC, BACTERIAL INFECTION CAUSED BY THE SPIROCHETE TREPONEMA PALLIDUM. DUE TO ITS MANY PROTEAN CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS, IT HAS BEEN NAMED THE “GREAT IMITATOR AND MIMICKER.” THE ORIGIN OF SYPHILIS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL AND UNDER GREAT DEBATE, AND MANY THEORIES HAVE BEEN POSTULATED REGARDING THIS. SYPHILIS REMAINS A CONTEMPORARY PLAGUE THAT CONTINUES TO AFFLICT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. THE INFECTION PROGRESSES THROUGH FOUR STAGES AND CAN AFFECT MANY ORGAN SYSTEMS. LUCKILY, THE CAUSATIVE ORGANISM IS STILL SENSITIVE TO PENICILLIN. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSE, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND PRESENTATION OF SYPHILIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.