Syphilis infection is caused by?

Appeared in: HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

Syphilis is a well-known sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
This bacterium is morphologically classified as a spirochete, which is characterized by its long, slender, spiral, or corkscrew shape.
The spirochete's unique structure allows it to move effectively through viscous environments like mucus and penetrate tissues.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Syphilis is not caused by a virus. Viruses are different types of pathogens that cause diseases like HIV/AIDS, influenza, and herpes.
Option B: A fungus is not the causative agent of syphilis. Fungal infections (mycoses) include conditions like candidiasis (thrush) or ringworm.
Option D: Syphilis is not a protozoan infection. Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotes that cause diseases such as malaria and trichomoniasis.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Causative agent of syphilis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must be able to educate patients that because syphilis is a bacterial infection, it is curable with appropriate antibiotic therapy, primarily Penicillin G.
A key nursing responsibility is screening at-risk populations, including all pregnant women, to prevent congenital syphilis and its devastating effects on the newborn.
Contact tracing and partner notification are critical public health interventions that nurses often facilitate to control the spread of the infection.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of microbiology.
First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Syphilis'.
Next, recall the specific microorganism that causes syphilis, which is Treponema pallidum.
Then, classify Treponema pallidum based on its biological characteristics. It is a bacterium with a distinct spiral shape.
Finally, match this classification with the given options. The term 'Spirochete' describes a spiral-shaped bacterium, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Causative agent of syphilis
Stem keywords: Syphilis, infection, caused by
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QiGsFmY-NyqQ37cagPeWto

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 2039-2041

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 382-384

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1870-1872

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