Treponema pallidum

Treponema pallidum
Scientific classification
Domain:
Bacteria
Kingdom:
Eubacteria
Phylum:
Spirochaetes
Class:
Spirochaetes
Order:
Spirochaetales
Family:
Spirochaetaceae
Genus:
Treponema
Species:
T. pallidum
Binomial name
Treponema pallidum

Treponema pallidum is a parasitic spirochaete bacterium. There are different kinds of Treponema pallidum, which cause diseases like syphilis, bejel, pinta and yaws.

The most common disease caused by Treponema pallidum is syphilis, a serious sexually transmitted infection.

Syphilis is treated and cured by taking antibiotics. Usually, the first treatment used is penicillin. Antibiotic resistance has developed to a number of agents. Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, may be as effective as penicillin-based treatment.

Pennicilin is still effective, but "the potential of this spirochete to develop additional antibiotic resistance could seriously compromise syphilis treatment and control".

References

  1. ↑ David N. Gilbert; Robert C. Moellering; George M. Eliopoulos (2011). The Sanford guide to antimicrobial therapy 2011 (41st ed.). Sperryville, VA: Antimicrobial Therapy. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-930808-65-2.
  2. 1 2 Stamm L.V. 2010. Global challenge of antibiotic-resistant Treponema pallidum. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 54 (2): 583–9. Archived 2016-03-26 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Kent M.E. & Romanelli F. 2008. Reexamining syphilis: an update on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and management. Ann Pharmacother 42 (2): 226–36. Archived 2012-10-19 at the Wayback Machine