Syphilis is a chronic infection that evolves into distinct stages of primary, secondary, latent and tertiary infection. These stages result in different clinical symptoms, generally producing an initial lesion
Syphilis is a chronic infection that evolves into distinct stages of primary, secondary, latent and tertiary infection. These stages result in different clinical symptoms, generally producing an initial lesion known as syphiloma which then evolves into syphilitic eruption followed by long periods of latency. If left untreated the infection can cause cardiovascular problems and neurosyphilis. The infection is caused by a bacterium of the order of spirochetes, Treponema pallidum, and is generally contracted through sexual intercourse, although the disease can also be transmitted as a result of transfusions of infected blood. Intrauterine infections are also possible. The diagnosis of infection is based on the use of four categories of tests: direct microscopic examination, direct antigen research, nontreponemal antibody research, treponemal antibody research. RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) is a non-treponemic Test for syphilis diagnosis that detects IgG/IgM antibodies specific for lipidic antigens released by the host damaged cells and/or specific for cardiolipine released by Treponema.
