The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by syphilis: Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Iritis (inflammation of the iris). Optic neuritis (optic neuritis). Uveitis – inflammation of the middle eye skin. Skin – subcutaneous (L00-L99) Skin ulcerations (ulcers) on the soles of the feet. Cardiovascular system (F00-F99; G00-G99). … Syphilis: Complications
General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, sclerae (white part of the eye), abdominal wall, and inguinal region (groin area) [symptoms (secondary stage): Alopecia specifica areolaris – moth-eaten hair loss. Anemia (anemia) Clavi syphilitici – excessive callus formation on the hands and feet. Depigmentation – … Syphilis: Examination
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Point-of-care testing (POCT) for smear pathogen detection from ulcerated or weeping lesions by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT); this is intended to largely replace microscopic pathogen detection (dark-field microscopy) by their higher specificity and sensitivity. Direct microscopic detection of Treponema pallidum by dark-field technique or fluorescence microscopy … Syphilis: Test and Diagnosis
Therapy goals Elimination of the pathogens Avoidance of complications Partner management, i.e., infected partners, if any, must be located and treated (Primary infection: sexual partners of the last three months must be considered; Lues II: six months, Lues III: two years, Lues IV: up to 30 years). The S2k guideline requires notification of sexual partners … Syphilis: Drug Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification and in the case of secondary disease Abdominal sonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – to exclude concomitant diseases. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the … Syphilis: Diagnostic Tests
To prevent syphilis, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Drug use including sharing of drug paraphernalia. Sexual transmission Promiscuity (sexual contact with relatively frequently changing different partners). Prostitution, especially among women from Central and Eastern Europe or Latin America. Men who have sex with men (MSM). Sexual contacts in the … Syphilis: Prevention
Only about 50% of infected individuals subsequently experience symptoms. The following symptoms and complaints may indicate syphilis: Leading symptoms of the primary stage (syphilis I). Painless primary effect with a rough edge wall (ulcus durum / ulcer) at the entry point of the pathogens (genital area or mouth), which also heals untreated after 4-6 weeks. … Syphilis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) The gram-negative bacterium Treponema pallidum is transmitted primarily through direct sexual contact. In the process, it enters the body through microscopic skin lesions (skin wounds), especially in the genital and anal mucosa. Shortly thereafter, a systemic infection (infection in which the pathogens spread throughout the entire organism by being washed into … Syphilis: Causes
General measures Partner management, i.e., infected partners, if any, must be located and treated (primary infection: sexual partners of the last three months must be considered; lues II: six months, lues III: two years, lues IV: up to 30 years). Observance of the general hygiene measures! Genital hygiene Once a day, the genital area should … Syphilis: Therapy Options
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of syphilis. Family history Social history Current anamnesis/systemic anamnesis (somatic and psychological complaints). Have you noticed a painless ulcer? When did you notice it? Have you noticed any lymph node enlargement? Have you noticed a skin rash? Does this itch? Do you feel … Syphilis: Medical History
Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96). Syphilis connata Erythroblastosis fetalis (Morbus hemolytcus neonatorum) – destruction of fetal erythrocytes (red blood cells) usually caused by blood group incompatibility with the mother Blood, blood-forming organs – immune system (D50-D90) tertiary stage. Sarcoidosis (synonyms: Boeck’s disease; Schaumann-Besnier’s disease) – systemic connective tissue disease with granuloma formation … Syphilis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
