Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Procedures for In Vitro Cultivation of Treponema pallidum, the Syphilis Spirochete
09:45

Procedures for In Vitro Cultivation of Treponema pallidum, the Syphilis Spirochete

Published on: January 24, 2025

Resurgence of congenital syphilis: diagnosis and treatment

Tara Follett1, Denise F Clarke

  • 1Northern Alberta Neonatal Intensive Care Program at the Stollery Children's Hospital, Alberta, Canada. tara.follett@albertahealthservices.ca

Neonatal Network : NN
|August 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Congenital syphilis remains a public health issue despite screening. Early diagnosis and penicillin G treatment in neonates lead to favorable outcomes and declining infection markers.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Congenital syphilis poses significant risks, including severe morbidity and adverse outcomes, despite available screening and treatment.
  • This review covers etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and management of congenital syphilis.

Observation:

  • A case of a 31-week male infant exposed to syphilis in utero is presented.
  • The neonate exhibited classic signs of congenital syphilis at birth.

Findings:

  • Infant diagnosis was confirmed via serology, followed by a ten-day course of crystalline penicillin G.
  • The infant's Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) titers demonstrated a significant decline at three and six months post-treatment.

Implications:

  • An interdisciplinary approach ensures optimal and safe care for neonates with congenital syphilis.
  • Successful treatment and multidisciplinary follow-up facilitate positive long-term outcomes for affected infants.

Related Concept Videos

Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Trichomoniasis01:18

Trichomoniasis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the United States. This extracellular parasite primarily colonizes the lower genitourinary tract in women—particularly the vagina—and in men, the urethra and prostate. Its structural and functional adaptations enable its survival, motility, and pathogenicity within the host environment.Structural Features and Host EntryT.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...