endemic syphilis

syphilis /syph·i·lis/ (sif´ĭ-lis) a venereal disease caused by Treponema pallidum, leading to many structural and cutaneous lesions, transmitted by direct sexual contact or in utero. See primary s., secondary s., and tertiary s. syphilit´ic

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congenital syphilis  syphilis acquired in utero, manifested by any of several characteristic malformations of teeth or bones and by active mucocutaneous syphilis at birth or shortly thereafter, and by ocular or neurologic changes.

endemic syphilis , nonvenereal syphilis a chronic inflammatory infection caused by a treponema morphologically indistinguishable from Treponema pallidum, transmitted nonsexually; the early stage is marked by mucous patches and by moist papules in the axillae and skin folds; a latent stage and finally late complications, including gummata, follow.

primary syphilis  syphilis in its first stage, the primary lesion being a chancre, which is infectious and painless; the nearby lymph nodes become hard and swollen.

secondary syphilis  syphilis in the second of three stages, with fever, multiform skin eruptions (syphilids), iritis, alopecia, mucous patches, and severe pain in the head, joints, and periosteum.

tertiary syphilis  late generalized syphilis, with involvement of many organs and tissues, including skin, bones, joints, and cardiovascular and central nervous systems; see also tabes dorsalis.

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endemic syphilis,

a chronic infectious skin disease that is closely related to Treponema pallidum and is frequently contracted in childhood without venereal contact. It is known as bejel in heavily populated communities of undeveloped nations. Also called nonvenereal syphilis.