Treponema pallidum

Treponema pallidum
	Treponema pallidum
Systematics
Department :	Spirochaetae
Class :	Spirochaetes
Order :	Spirochaetales
Family :	Spirochaetaceae
Genre :	Treponema
Type :	Treponema pallidum
Scientific name
	Treponema pallidum
	( Schaudinn & Hoffmann 1905) Schaudinn 1905
Subspecies
	T. p. endemicum; T. p. pertenue; T. p. carateum;

Treponema pallidum (from the Greek τρέπειν "twist", and νήμα "yarn"; Latin pallidus means "pale") is a helically wound bacterium from the spirochete family .

The species is divided into several subspecies ( ssp. ): The subspecies Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis (also called syphilis). It can be detected in large numbers in the secretion secreted by the ulcus durum , the primary effect of syphilis .

The subspecies T. pallidum ssp. endemicum causes non- venereal syphilis ( Bejel ), T. pallidum ssp. pertenue of framboesia and T. pallidum ssp. carateum of the Pinta .

properties

The bacterium is 5–15 µm long and 0.2 µm wide, has 10–20 turns and can move around its longitudinal axis by rotating. Due to the fine structure, it is difficult to visualize with coloration in microscopy , but the dark field microscopy method allows live observations. So far, cultural evidence has only been successful in rabbit testicles.

history

After years of searching in vain for the causative agent of syphilis, Fritz Schaudinn and Erich Hoffmann at the Berlin Charité in 1905 succeeded in providing the first microscopic evidence of syphilis piracy . (The species name of the syphilis pathogen used to be Spirochaeta pallida ). Serologically, the syphilis was then detectable using the Wassermann test. By Noguchi Hideyo later succeeded in detecting the bacterium in the brain of patients suffering from insanity and paralysis, making the relationship between the various stages of syphilis disease was made.

Proof of the pathogen

Direct detection of the bacteria

Microscopic evidence of the bacteria in the blood is uncertain. In the primary stage of syphilis, the pathogen is obtained directly from the secretion obtained from the primary effect (ulcus durum). In the secondary stage, the secretion, which is examined in the dark field microscope, can also be obtained from a condyloma latum.

Detection of antibodies

A serological blood test can identify antibodies that are specific and sensitive to Treponema pallidum . The antibodies are through

TPHA test (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test)
FTA-Abs test (fluorescence treponema antibody absorption test) or
Treponema pallidum Western Blot (for treponem antigens p15, p17, p44,5 and p47)

proven

Reporting requirement

In Germany, the direct or indirect proof of Treponema pallidum is not subject to a notification by name according to Section 7 (3) of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). The obligation to notify primarily concerns the management of laboratories ( § 8 IfSG).

In Switzerland, the positive laboratory results for Treponema pallidum for laboratories are notifiable according to the Epidemics Act (EpG) in conjunction with the Epidemics Ordinance and Appendix 3 of the EDI Ordinance on the reporting of observations of communicable diseases in humans .

treatment

Treponema bacteria can be combated with high-dose antibiotics , e.g. B. Penicillin G , or in the case of allergies, 3rd generation cephalosporins , macrolides or tetracyclines . More is in the article Syphilis .

literature

Curt Magerstedt: A contribution to the morphology of the syphilis pirochetes. In: Arch. Dermatol. Syph. Volume 185, 1943/1944, pp. 272-280.
Birgit Adam : The punishment of Venus. A cultural history of venereal diseases. Orbis, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-572-01268-6 , pp. 17-21.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b Medical microbiology, infection and disease theory, Mayr / Rolle, Thieme, 8th edition, page 394
^ Fritz Richard Schaudinn, Erich Hoffmann: Preliminary report on the occurrence of spirochaetes in syphilitic disease products and in papillomas . In: Verlag von Julius Springer (ed.): Work from the Imperial Health Office . Volume 22, Berlin, 1905, pp. 527-534.
↑ Paul Mulzer : Practical instructions for diagnosing syphilis by biological means (detection of spirochetes, Wassermann reaction). Berlin 1910.
↑ JG Sleeswijk: The serum diagnosis of syphilis by Noguchi. In: German Medical Weekly . Volume 36, 1910, pp. 1213-1215.
^ ^A ^b Henrik Holtmann, Monika Bobkowski: BASICS Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene , 1st edition, Urban & Fischer Verlag / Elsevier GmbH, May 19, 2008, ISBN 9783437424168 .
↑ ^a ^b Gerd Herold: Internal Medicine 2009 2009.

[history-1] Medical microbiology, infection and disease theory, Mayr / Rolle, Thieme, 8th edition, page 394

[Schaudinn1905-2] Fritz Richard Schaudinn, Erich Hoffmann: Preliminary report on the occurrence of spirochaetes in syphilitic disease products and in papillomas . In: Verlag von Julius Springer (ed.): Work from the Imperial Health Office . Volume 22, Berlin, 1905, pp. 527-534.

[3] Paul Mulzer : Practical instructions for diagnosing syphilis by biological means (detection of spirochetes, Wassermann reaction). Berlin 1910.

[4] JG Sleeswijk: The serum diagnosis of syphilis by Noguchi. In: German Medical Weekly . Volume 36, 1910, pp. 1213-1215.

[basicsmibi-5] A ^b Henrik Holtmann, Monika Bobkowski: BASICS Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene , 1st edition, Urban & Fischer Verlag / Elsevier GmbH, May 19, 2008, ISBN 9783437424168 .

[herold-6] Gerd Herold: Internal Medicine 2009 2009.