*Treponema pallidum* s a gram-negative bacteria that has lipoproteins can activate the host immune response. This can cause damage to host tissues and allow the pathogen to evade the host immune system and spread. 

Virulence factors of *Treponema pallidum*

In order to diagnose syphilis infections, it is important to know the three stages of syphilis infection: 
- Primary syphilis
- Secondary syphilis
- Tertiary syphilis

Stages of Syphilis Infection

- nontreponemal serologic test
- treponemal serologic test
- Silver stain microscopy

Diagnostic tests for syphilis

*Treponema pallidum*, the causative agent of syphilis, is a flexible, spiral cell (spirochete). It can be extremely thin, with a width of $${}<0.15$$ μm, and matches the refractive index of the surrounding medium, which makes it very difficult to view using standard brightfield microscopy.

*Treponema pallidum* Morphology

*Treponema pallidum* is a species of spirochete that is classified into four subspecies: *T. pallidum pallidum*, which causes the sexually transmitted infection syphilis, and three other subspecies (*T. pallidum pertenue*, *T. pallidum carateum*, and *T. pallidum endemicum*) that cause tropical infectious diseases affecting the skin, bones, and joints.

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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete subspecies *Treponema pallidum pallidum*. In the United States, it is the third most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection, following chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Syphilis

Spirochetes are gram-negative bacteria characterized by long, spiral-shaped bodies that can reach lengths up to $${}250$$ μm. Due to their extreme thinness, they are difficult to view under conventional brightfield microscopes, typically requiring darkfield fluorescent microscopy instead, and are highly difficult or impossible to culture in a laboratory.

Spirochete

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Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

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*Treponema pallidum*

Congenital syphilis can be transmitted to a child during. This infection can cause stillbirths. Children born with congenital syphilis can develop mucous patches and have damage to organs and teeth. It can also lead to other issues like blindness and deformities. Pregnant women are often tested in the first trimester for syphilis because of how serious these infections are for the child.

Congenital syphilis

By 1947, penicillin was established as a safe and effective cure for syphilis. The existence of this treatment became a critical ethical benchmark, making the deliberate withholding of it from patients or research subjects a major violation of medical and research ethics.

Penicillin as a Treatment for Syphilis

Based on the patient's history and current symptoms, what is the most likely diagnosis for this sexually transmitted infection? Justify your answer by explaining the significance of the two distinct phases of symptoms described.

Clinical Symptom Progression

Which of the following best describes spirochete cells?

Which of the following statements is true about spirochete cells?

Which of the following diseases is commonly associated with spirochete bacteria?

What is a distinguishing feature of spirochete bacteria?

*Treponema* is a genus of spirochetes that contains several human pathogens, including the species *Treponema pallidum*, which is further divided into multiple subspecies causing syphilis and tropical diseases of the skin, bones, and joints.

*Treponema*

*Borrelia burgdorferi* is a pathogenic spirochete species that causes Lyme disease. It is transmitted to humans by tick vectors from the genera *Ixodes* and *Amblyomma*, and infection often produces a 'bull's eye' rash, fever, fatigue, and sometimes debilitating arthritis.

*Borrelia burgdorferi*

*Borrelia recurrens* is a pathogenic spirochete species that causes relapsing fever, a condition marked by recurring cycles of fever.

*Borrelia recurrens*

The axial filament is a specialized, flagellum-like structure that wraps around a spirochete cell. Unlike typical external flagella, it runs internally inside the cell body, residing in the periplasmic space between the outer membrane and the plasma membrane. The rotation of this internal filament is what enables the high motility of spirochetes.

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