HSS 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Dark Field Microscopy, Treponema Pallidum, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSS 1100
• Professor: Franco Pagotto

Document Summary

Gram negative (doesn"t stain cuz too small and cell wall is fucked up), helical bacteria. Use dark field microscopy; almost invisible under gram stain, geimsa stain and ziehl-neelsen. Appearance of chancre 3-4 weeks after infection. Fluid from lesion contains bacteria seen under dark-field microscopy: secondary syphilis. Mucosal lesions with many treponemes: spontaneous remission may occur after 1 or 2 phase, latent syphilis. But congenital infection may occur: late syphilis. Can involve skin, mucosae, nervous system, cardiovascular system and tissues: serology testing. You see the antibodies about 15 days in thus can cause a negative response. Affects skin, joints, nervous system and heart. Common in us, rare in canada (too color) Use serology for diagnosis (elisa: organism is very difficult to see under microscope, difficult to culture, serology does not give +ve result in first 2-4 weeks of infection. For neurological and musculoskeletal manifestations, undergo prolonged treatment: prevention. Avoid ticks and wear protective clothing in woods (long sleeves and pants)