Treponema pertenue

The two Treponema species Treponema carateum and Treponema pertenue are the etiologic agents of the diseases pinta and yaws, respectively [1].

The two species are very closely related and can hardly be distinguished using a Western Blot [2].  Yaws occurs in three distinct phases, each distinguished by different symptoms. Pinta is mainly characterized by the alteration of skin pigmentation [3].  The three distinct phases of yaws are: the early stage, which typically exhibits a popular lesion, in the secondary stage these lesions have spread over the body, and the tertiary stage is characterized by destruction of tissue and bone.  Again, the main symptom of Pinta is the loss of skin pigmentation [3]. Both of these diseases are known to be spread from skin to skin contact.  Yaws is present in hot and humid, subtropical areas and Pinta is found mainly in South and Central America [1].  T. pertenue can be detected serologically with tests such as the VDRL test (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory). This test is not always definitive because of the cross-reactivity with T. pallidumand T. carateum antibodies [4, 3].  Treatment of early yaws with a shot of benzathine penicillin is very effective and seldom allows recurrence [3]. A few other possibilities for treatment, in case of recurrence or penicillin resistance are tetracycline, doxycycline, or erythromycin [3].

References:

  1. Kristin N. Harper, et al.  On the Origin of the Treponematoses: A Phylogenetic Approach.  PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. Jan. 2008.  2(1): e148
  2. Gerda T. Noordhoek, et al.  New Attempt to Distinguish Serologically the Subspecies of Treponema pallidum Causing Syphilis and Yaws.  J. Clin. Microbiol. July 1990.  28(7): 1600-1607. 
  3. Andrea Rinaldi.  Yaws: A Second (and Maybe Last?) Chance for Eradication.  PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. Aug. 2008.  2(8): e275. 

Additional References:

  1. H. J. H. Engelkens, et al.  The Localisation of Treponemes and Characterisation of the Inflammatory Infiltrate in Skin Biopsies from Patients with Primary or Secondary Syphilis, or Early Infectious Yaws.  Genitourin. Med. 1993.  69: 102-107. 
  2. Konrad Wicher, et al.  Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue Displays Pathogenic Properties Different from Those of T. pallidum subsp. Pallidum.  Infect. Immun. June 2000.  68(6): 3219-3225. 
  3. Kingsley Asiedu, et al.  Yaws eradication: past efforts and future perspectives.  Bulletin of the World Health Organization July 2008.  86(7): 499-500. 
  4. Emerging Infectious Diseases.  CDC Oct. 1996.  2(4): 360. 
  5. Recommendations of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication.  WMMR. CDC Dec. 1993.  42(16): 1-46. 
  6. J. L. Backhouse And B. J. Hudson.  Evaluation of Immunoglobulin G Enzyme Immunoassay for Serodiagnosis of Yaws.  J. Clin. Microbiol. July 1995.  33(7): 1875-1878.
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Spiro Stat uses modern molecular diagnostic approaches that have been validated under stringent criteria. All laboratory testing is performed in our CAP accredited CLIA laboratory, Southwest Regional PCR.