Biology and Natural History of Syphilis

Abstract

Syphilis continues to have great public health importance because it increases the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection significantly; furthermore, statistical studies suggest that there are no chances of eradicating it in the foreseeable future. The T. pallidumGenome Sequencing Project also confirmed what had already been suggested by ongoing experimental efforts: this bacterium is a fastidious, microaerophilic, obligate parasite of humans. T. pallidumderives most essential macromolecules from the host, using interconversion pathways to generate others. The course of untreated syphilis consists of intermittent stages with sequential symptomatic and asymptomatic (latency) periods. This regular choreography, however, may be disturbed if the immunological competence of the host organism is severely compromised (HIV infection) by inappropriately administered prevention or antimicrobial therapy for another disease.