Treponema Palladium - Pallidum Observatory Quiz

Syphilis Diagnosis & Treatment

• Dark-field microscopy is the primary method for directly visualizing Treponema Pallidum.
• Chancre is a painless ulcer, a characteristic of the primary stage of syphilis.
• VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test has a high incidence of false positives due to cross-reactivity.
• FTA Antibody Test (FTA-ABS) confirms the presence of specific antibodies against Treponema Pallidum, aiding in syphilis diagnosis.
• Skin rash is a characteristic of the secondary stage of syphilis.
• Sexual contact is the primary mode of transmission for Treponema Pallidum.
• Aortic aneurysm is caused by inflammation and weakening of the aorta due to syphilis infection.

Syphilis Pathology & Symptoms

• Columns in the back that are cracked and damaged likely refer to tabes dorsalis, a neurological complication of late syphilis. It's a result of damage to the spinal cord.
• Greeter wearing argyle sweater with kid shining light into the eyes likely refers to the Argyll Robertson pupil, a neurological symptom of neurosyphilis, where the pupils react to accommodation but not to light.
• Congenital deafness is NOT a congenital symptom of syphilis, while saddle nose deformity is a common symptom.
• Penicillin is the recommended treatment for syphilis.
• Sign directing students likely refers to a classic symptom of Hutchinson's teeth, a congenital defect caused by syphilis.

Syphilis Overview & Transmission

• Treponema Pallidum is a spirochete, a type of bacteria.
• Chancre is a painless ulcer, a characteristic of the primary stage of syphilis infection.
• FTA Antibody Test (FTA-ABS) confirms the presence of specific antibodies against Treponema Pallidum, aiding in syphilis diagnosis.
• VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) test has a high incidence of false positives due to cross-reactivity.
• Sexual contact is the primary mode of transmission for Treponema Pallidum.
• Dark-field microscopy is the primary method for directly visualizing Treponema Pallidum.
• Syphilis causes an aortic aneurysm by inflammatory damage and weakening of the aorta due to the bacteria.

Syphilis Symptoms & Complications

• Constellations likely refer to a neurological symptom of neurosyphilis, where a patient can feel pain, tingling, or numbness in their skin, potentially appearing in constellations.
• Congenital deafness is NOT a congenital symptom of syphilis, while saddle nose deformity is a common symptom.
• Tree barking likely refers to the syphilitic gumma, late-stage lesions often appearing on the skin and bones.
• Argyll Robertson pupil is likely caused by syphilis infection, where pupils don't react to light but do react to accommodation.
• Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is a common complication of penicillin treatment for syphilis, causing a sudden, temporary worsening of the initial symptoms.