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Syphilis

Author: Dr H. Hunter Handsfield Clinical Professor of Medicine University of Washington 2008-10-20

Treponema pallidum bacteria. Source CDC

Syphilis is one of the five originally recognized venereal diseases, with gonorrhea and the now rare sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale).  The causative organism, which belongs to a class of bacteria called spirochetes, is Treponema pallidum, one of the few important disease-causing organisms that still has not been successfully grown in the laboratory, significantly affecting diagnosis and impeding research. 

Gonorrhea

Author: Dr H. Hunter Handsfield Clinical Professor of Medicine University of Washington 2008-07-28

Gonorrhea is one of the five originally recognized venereal diseases, along with syphilis and the now rare STDs chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and Donovanosis (also known as granuloma inguinale).  The name derives from the Greek “flow of seed”, reflecting ancient perceptions that spontaneous discharge of semen explained the main symptom in men.  The causative organism, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also known as the gonococcus, was one of the first bacteria identified and characterized at the dawn of modern microbiology in the 19th century.  Among all infections routinely reported to health authorities in the United States, gonorrhea is the second most common, following genital chlamydial infections; 358,000 cases of gonorrhea were reported in 2006, although owing to incomplete diagnosis and reporting, the true total probably was twice as high. 

Chlamydia

Author: Dr H. Hunter Handsfield Clinical Professor of Medicine University of Washington

2008-10-28

CHLAMYDIA : The Most Common Bacterial STD

Chlamydia trachomatis inclusion bodies. Source: Public Health Image Library (CDC)

Genital infection with chlamydia—scientific name Chlamydia trachomatis—is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in industrialized countries and probably worldwide.  Three to 4 million cases are estimated to occur in the United States each year and the World Health Organization estimates at least 90 million annual cases worldwide.