Treponema pallidum DNA from even small numbers of organisms was detectable in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) stored at room temperature or at 4 degrees C for several hours and in CSF subjected to three freeze-thaw cycles. These results suggest that negative PCR results for T. pallidum from patients diagnosed with T. pallidum invasion of the central nervous system are probably not due to the loss of ...

In vitro propagation of Treponema pallidum can be achieved by cocultivation with Sf1Ep cells. This study had two objectives: (i) to achieve suspension cultivation of Sf1Ep cells and (ii) to develop procedures for achieving the replication of T. pallidum in those cell cultures. Seven suspension cultures of Sf1Ep cells yielded an average of 7.2 x 10(8) T. pallidum (36-fold increase) after 12 days.

Yaws, caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue, is a neglected tropical disease closely related to venereal syphilis and is targeted for eradication by 2020. Latent yaws represents a diagnostic challenge, and current tools cannot adequately distinguish between individuals with true latent infection and individuals who are serofast following successful treatment. PCR on blood has previously be...

Hospital Physician January 2009 43 S yphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Treponema pallidum spirochete, named because of its resemblance to a twisted thread (Treponema) and pale color (pallidum).1 The term syphilis originates from the poem “Syphilis, sive Morbus Gallicus” by Girolamo Fracastoro, an Italian physician and poet (1478−1553), in which the fictional shepherd...

Normal piglets kept at 16 degrees C. and gnotobiotic piglets kept at 32 degrees C. rapidly destroyed Treponema pallidum, while gnotobiotic piglets kept at 26 degrees C. showed slightly slower clearance. No infections were established. The high body temperature of the piglets has an important influence on the survival of T. pallidum.

26 We report a case of congenital syphilis in a newborn after clindamycin treatment in pregnancy. 27 Using PCR detection of tmpC (TP0319) and DNA sequencing of genes TP0136 and TP0548, DNA 28 sequences identical to Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum strain SS14 were detected in the infant’s 29 skin lesions, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid. 30 31

Putative adhesins were predicted by computer analysis of the Treponema pallidum genome. Two treponemal proteins, Tp0155 and Tp0483, demonstrated specific attachment to fibronectin, blocked bacterial adherence to fibronectin-coated slides, and supported attachment of fibronectin-producing mammalian cells. These results suggest Tp0155 and Tp0483 are fibronectin-binding proteins mediating T. palli...

Herein, we report that a modified gentamicin cassette and a PCR-based method can be used for targeted mutagenesis of the oral spirochete Treponema denticola. This approach minimizes polar effects and spontaneous antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it can serve as a reliable tool for genetic manipulation of T. denticola.

The median infective dose of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and the production of immunity to reinfection in C4D guinea pigs have been determined with 10(1) to 10(6) organisms per infective dose. The mean infective dose is 10(2) organisms, and immunity--in those animals that demonstrated lesions--developed after 4.5 months postinfection.

A molecular system was used to subtype Portuguese Treponema pallidum clinical strains isolated from both skin lesions and blood. The study with this system constitutes the first typing study in a European country. Three T. pallidum subtypes were found: subtypes 14a (50%), 14d (45.2%), and 14f (4.8%). Further studies are needed to better characterize the isolates involved in syphilis outbreaks.