Contraction and Infection

How is syphilis contracted?

Syphilis has various ways that it can be transmitted from person to person. One way is transmission from a pregnant woman to the fetus known as congenital syphilis; however the most common form of transmission and contraction of this infection is through contact with a chancre.

What is a chancre? A chancre is a sore caused by the contraction of T. pallidum. It can be located on the external genitals, inside the vagina, inside the anus or rectum, and in the mouth and lips.1 The bacteria is then passed on when another person comes in contact with the chancre whether it be through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Chancre on a lip (3)

Chancre on a penis (2)

In the 1990s syphilis was more common among heterosexual men and women, but now the population predominantly infected with syphilis is men who have sex with men ages 30-39 according to the CDC.1

When T. pallidum enters the body the bacteria is engulfed by antigen presenting cells, which then puts in motion an immune response resulting in the production of antibodies. This is generally what happens with any infection, yet with syphilis the antibodies produced by the immune system end up attacking normal tissues within the body.1,4

(4)

References:

1: Syphilis - CDC Fact Sheet. (2014, December 16). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis-detailed.htm

2: EponymsH | Our Dermatology Online journal. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.odermatol.com/issue-in-html/2013-1-33-eponymsh/

3: Canadian Medical Association Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.cmaj.ca/content/183/17/2015.figures-only

4: LEPROSY & SYPHILIS. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://nursingstudentinprogress.blogspot.com/