Syphilis

There has been a significant increase in syphilis infections in the past decade. This is a Treponema pallidum spirochete infection which can damage any organ system, present with minimal pain, and is characterized by a wide range of clinical symptoms. Early presentation may be visible chancre lesion, and subsequent skin lesions, arthralgia, joint synovitis, joint fibrosis, tenosynovitis, myositis, bursitis, dactylitis with nail changes, and bone lesions. The spirochete can traverse the blood–brain barrier and the placenta to cause, respectively, significant neurological impairments such as ataxia and congenital syphilis. It is remarkable that Penicillin G parentally is still the preferred drug for treating patients with all stages of syphilis.