Diagnostics of syphilis

Author: Lenka Branská Title: Diagnostic of syfilis Bachler work Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Farmaceutická fakulta v Hradci Králové Field of study: Medical laboratory technician, combined study form Background: The thesis is written in a literary review. The main objective is to summarize knowledge of the diagnosis of syphilis which is caused by a pathogenic bacterium of the genus Treponema Treaponema pallidum subsp. Pallidum. Main findings: Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (T. p. pallidum) is the causative agent of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease affecting more than 12 million people worldwide each year and it can be effectively treated with penicillin. Untreated syphilis has primary (local), secondary (disseminated), and tertiary (chronic) stages, and infection can persist for the lifetime of the patient. Diagnosis of syphilis is based primarily on indirect diagnostics, it can be divided according to the origin of the antigen non-treponemal (non-specific) and treponemal reactions (specific). Non- treponemal tests detect nonspecific antibody optionally cardiolipin, a phospholipid component constituting the cell membranes. Nonspecific antibodies after the effective treatment disappear over several weeks to months but specific IgG remain detectable for a long time. These reactions can..