Syphilitic Lesions Research Articles

A STUDY OF THE RELATION OF TREPONEMA PALLIDUM TO LYMPHOID TISSUES IN EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS

A widespread dissemination of Treponema pallidum from a local focus of inoculation in the rabbit constantly occurs by way of the lymphatics. Spirochetes were regularly recovered from the satellite lymph nodes by animal inoculation after scrotal inoculation; they were present as early as 2 days, when no specific primary reaction was detected, and at later periods of from 5 to 61 days after inoculation. Other superficial nodes at remote sites such as the popliteals and with no syphilitic lesions in the drainage area have also been shown to harbor active organisms. Although spirochetes were found in relatively few of the lymph node emulsions, the orchitis resulting from their injection was of a rapidly progressive type with an incubation period but slightly longer than that produced by a testicular or skin nodule emulsion rich in spirochetes. It has further been shown that a syphilitic infection is sufficiently established in the rabbit body within 48 hours after scrotal inoculation so that the primary lesion is no longer essential for its maintenance. Active treponemata survive in the popliteal lymph nodes for long periods of time and have been regularly recovered from them in cases of true latency. The lymph nodes, therefore, function as reservoirs of the organisms. The ability to recover the spirochetes from lymphoid tissue through successive generations is seen in the serial passage of lymph node emulsion to testicle during an 18 months period. The persistence of spirochetes in lymphoid tissue irrespective of the presence or absence of syphilitic lesions is a characteristic and fundamental feature of syphilis of the rabbit. The existence of infection, therefore, may be demonstrated at any time by the recovery of spirochetes from the popliteal lymph nodes by animal inoculation. This fact is of great practical importance in the therapy of the infection and may be profitably utilized in determining the ultimate effect of a therapeutic agent. These experiments demonstrate that the disease is not confined to the site of local inoculation but that lymphogenous dissemination of treponemata regularly takes place, and that during the course of this process organisms become localized in the lymph nodes and exist there indefinitely irrespective of the occurrence of manifestations of disease. The intimate relation of Treponema pallidum to lymphoid tissue is an essential concept of syphilis of the rabbit, and from this point of view, the infection is primarily one of lymphoid tissue.

ITCHING IN SYPHILIS

Sabouraud has jestingly maintained that a series of two hundred dermatologic aphorisms would amply cover all known practical facts in the field. He included in his list the statement, "Itching lesions are nonsyphilitic," and he qualified thisby the modification that of course some syphilitic lesions itched, but that in general they did not. A search of the literature relevant to the theme of this paper was virtually fruitless. Except for the conventionally known facts that the small papular secondary syphiloderm, or syphilitic lichen and its derivatives, such as syphilitic acne, may itch, and particularly so in the negro, and that syphilids in general are slightly more likely to be pruriginous in blacks than in whites, I found only one reference (and this a most fragmentary one) to the subject in general. Phineas Abraham 1 in discussing pruritus in syphilis states, "This is particularly apt to occur on the scalp, scrotum

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SYPHILIS IN WHITES AND IN NEGROES

Variations in the reaction of persons to syphilitic infection have caused much speculation. Fifty years ago Fournier emphasized the impossibility of predicting the course of a syphilitic infection. Even today we can offer a prognosis only on the basis of efficient treatment. Quoting Krause,1two really fundamental factors can possibly have an influence on disease. These are inheritance, or the nature and activities of tissues as born into the world; and environment, which includes every mundane experience which, directly or indirectly, may have an effect on the constitution and function of tissues. Inheritance probably explains in part certain differences in tissue reactions in syphilis, such as the early development of allergy in syphilis maligna, and the apparent absence of such a process in syphilis secondaria tarda. Inherited differences may have a determining influence on the localization of syphilitic lesions in various tissues or on the character which these processes

Neoplasia in experimental syphilis

Neoplasia as a sequel to syphilitic infection is not uncommon in man but has never been recorded in an experimental animal. Recently, we have observed an atypical growth arising from the scar of an old syphilitic lesion in the scrotum of a rabbit which may prove to be a neoplasm.The animal was inoculated in the scrotum, June 16, 1916. Small chancres developed and then underwent spontaneous regression. Several months later, there was a recurrence and the lesion in the left scrotum persisted for some time. In October, 1920, there was a slight diffuse infiltration of the left scrotum and a small nodule appeared at the site of the old chancre. Although it was known that the animal still harbored spirochetes,1 none could be demonstrated by dark-field examination of material from the nodule and it was excised for histological examination. There was a prompt recurrence and with the growth of the second cutaneous lesion, the left inguinal glands became markedly enlarged and indurated. Again no spirochetes could b...

The penetration of normal mucous membranes of the rabbit by Treponema pallidum

The fact may be recorded that highly virulent strains of Treponema pallidum are capable of penetrating some portion of the genital mucosa of normal rabbits and setting up an infection without necessarily producing the first gross lesion at the portal of entry. This fact was recently determined in 9 rabbits and with two highly virulent strains of Treponema pallidum. The experimental method employed was as follows: The sheath of the animal was drawn forward to form a pouch into which was instilled 0.05 c.c. of a testicular emulsion rich in spirochetes. About 30 seconds were allowed for the emulsion to spread before releasing the sheath. Most of the fluid then ran out and between 0.04 and 0.05 c.c. could be recovered showing that only a thin film of the emulsion was retained. Infection was first indicated by enlargement and induration of the inguinal lymphnodes and later by the development of a general lymphadenitis with syphilitic lesions in other parts of the body. All animals thus far inoculated by this method have become infected. In some of them, enlargement and induration of the inguinal nodes was clearly recognizable within 24 hours after the application of the emulsion. Thus far (5 weeks) only one of the animals has developed a visible lesion on either the penis or the sheath, although several of them have characteristic lesions in the testicles and scrotum. The observations on these animals are not yet complete and the full significance of the experiments cannot be ascertained until the course of the infection has been followed much longer. Similar experiments with other mucous membranes are in progress.

A satisfactory method of demonstrating treponema pallidum in primary syphilitic lesions when no darkground illumination is available

A satisfactory method of demonstrating treponema pallidum in primary syphilitic lesions when no darkground illumination is available

Initial syphilitic lesions in nasal fossae. G. Basilic, Policlinico, June 2, 1918

The LaryngoscopeVolume 29, Issue 4 p. 231-232 Digest Of Oto-LaryngologyFree Access Initial syphilitic lesions in nasal fossae. G. Basilic, Policlinico, June 2, 1918 First published: April 1919 https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-191904000-00017AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume29, Issue4April 1919Pages 231-232 RelatedInformation

Errors of Diagnosis in Primary Extra-Genital Syphilitic Lesions

Errors of Diagnosis in Primary Extra-Genital Syphilitic Lesions

Marked Prevalence of Syphilitic Lesions

Marked Prevalence of Syphilitic Lesions

SYPHILITIC DISEASE OF THE THYMUS IN INFANTS AND THE MODE OF ORIGIN OF THE DUBOIS ABSCESSES

Though first described by Cruveilhier1in 1829, cysts in the thymus of the new-born were first carefully studied by Dubois2twenty-one years later. By this author they were considered abscesses, on account of their purulent contents, and as all of his cases were in infants who showed definite evidences of congenital syphilis, he regarded the condition as of syphilitic origin. In the following years of gross pathology numerous cases of abscesses of the thymus were described, but it was not until the microscopic study of Chiari3that the true nature of these structures became known. In a male infant which died a few minutes after birth and which showed pronounced syphilitic lesions (pneumonia alba, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and osteochondritis syphilitica), he found the thymus, which was not enlarged, to be filled with cavities which contained purulent material. Microscopically, however, these cavities proved to be not abscesses, but cystic

A Study of Two Hundred and Ninety Post Mortem Wassermann Reactions

Abstract The diagnostic value of the Wassermann test for syphilis performed on sera from human blood taken post mortem has been the subject of investigation and discussion for the last ten years. Practically all published reports on the work have been made in Germany. The first to carry out this research, Much and Fraenkel (1) and Pick and Proskauer (2), concluded that the Wassermann reaction gave reliable results when done on post mortem blood and that the results confirmed the prevailing comprehension of fibrous meso-arteritis, aneurism of the aorta, etc., as syphilitic lesions. Later investigators, on the contrary, arrived at different conclusions. Beside others, Krefting (3), de Besche (4) and Von Bruck (5) decided against the employment of the Wassermann reaction on post mortem blood because they found a very considerable number of positive reactions in cases where not the slightest probability of the existence of syphilis was apparent.

STUDIES ON TREPONEMA PALLIDUM AND SYPHILIS

1. As regards these strains, at least, there is no consistent change, either increase or decrease, of rabbit pathogenicity during progressive rabbit passage. 2. There is no difference in pathogenicity between these different strains, although some of them were isolated from condylomata, some from chancres, one from a mucous patch, and one by Nichols from the nervous system. 3. We do not believe that there is any consistency of difference in speed of incubation between these various strains. 4. We think that the nature of the lesion produced by any individual strain, and the incubation time as well, are dependent upon the fortuitous factors incident to the nature of the material used, the technique of injection, and the size of rabbit in which the injection is made. As to the tendency to generalize possessed by one strain or another, we are not prepared to make a statement. We have not inspected as carefully as we might all our rabbits in regard to the more obscure syphilitic lesions such as small nodules on the eyebrows, nodules on the nasal bones, and internal lesions of the eye. As a matter of fact, we have noticed three cases of keratitis, probably syphilitic, and a number of preputial metastases, we have seen occasional nodules about the anus, and in one case a peritonitis in the fluid of which living treponemata were found on examination. There has not been in our series an extensive number of generalizations. We attribute this largely to the fact that all the studies here recorded were made on rabbits intratesticularly inoculated. It appears from the writings of other investigators that intravenous and intracardial injection of rabbits leads to a more extensive metastatic or general distribution. Two of the few rabbits inoculated intravenously showed testicular lesions. A series of rabbits intracerebrally inoculated through trephine openings showed nothing definite on autopsy, though one of them showed interference with reflexes and rigidity of the limbs for a time which seemed significant of pathological change. This rabbit, however, recovered entirely.

A Chemical Aid in Securing the Spirocheta Pallida from Syphilitic Lesions

A Chemical Aid in Securing the Spirocheta Pallida from Syphilitic Lesions

INVOLVEMENT OF THE EIGHTH NERVE IN SYPHILIS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The onset of sudden or rapidly progressing deafness in patients with syphilis is a not uncommon occurrence. It is usually considered to be due to a syphilitic lesion of the eighth nerve or of the labyrinth, and the prognosis for the regaining of hearing by the patient is considered unfavorable. It is the purpose of this communication to show that these affections should not be considered and treated as instances of isolated disease of the organ of hearing, but merely as manifestations of that extremely serious condition, syphilis of the central nervous system. Cases will also be reported which demonstrate how satisfactorily hearing may return, if the diagnosis is promptly made and thorough treatment instituted before irreparable damage to the nervous tissue has resulted. The relative frequency of syphilis of the inner ear, especially early in the syphilitic infection, has been the subject of much discussion, especially during the past

Syphilitic lesion of the hard palate

The LaryngoscopeVolume 25, Issue 5 p. 302-302 Article Syphilitic lesion of the hard palate Dr. Hubbard, Dr. HubbardSearch for more papers by this author Dr. Hubbard, Dr. HubbardSearch for more papers by this author First published: May 1915 https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-191505000-00015AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume25, Issue5May 1915Pages 302-302 RelatedInformation

Syphilitic Lesion of the Tonsil and Soft Palate

Syphilitic Lesion of the Tonsil and Soft Palate

Syphilitic lesion of the tonsil and soft palate

The LaryngoscopeVolume 24, Issue 1 p. 79-79 Society ProceedingFree Access Syphilitic lesion of the tonsil and soft palate Dr. Fielding O. Lewis, Dr. Fielding O. LewisSearch for more papers by this author Dr. Fielding O. Lewis, Dr. Fielding O. LewisSearch for more papers by this author First published: January 1914 https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.5540240129AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume24, Issue1January 1914Pages 79-79 RelatedInformation

The differential diagnosis between vincent's angina and primary syphilitic lesion of the tonsil

The differential diagnosis between vincent's angina and primary syphilitic lesion of the tonsil

AN ARGYLL ROBERTSON PUPIL BECOMING NORMAL AFTER MERCURY AND SALVARSAN

H. W., aged 32, married eight years, whose child, aged 3, and wife show no evidence of syphilitic lesions, had gonorrhea years ago, but does not know of ever having had a chancre or initial lesion. I saw him July 30, 1912. He consulted his physician then on account of difficulty in walking and cramps in the calves of his legs. Examination at that time revealed complete loss of patellar reflexes; Argyll Robertson pupil in both eyes (no reaction to light); cramps in the calves; gastric and intestinal crises; marked Romberg sign; testicular reflex increased so that stroking the skin on the inside of thigh caused the testicle to be drawn up into the canal; muscle sense disturbed; gait markedly affected; Wassermann reaction positive. The treatment consisted of mercurial inunctions and potassium iodid until August 20. He was then given 0.6 gm. of salvarsan in the right gluteal region. A

AN INTRACELLULAR PARASITE DEVELOPING INTO SPIROCHAETES, Found by the Jelly Method of in Vitro Staining in Syphilitic Lesions and in the Circulating Blood During the Secondary Stages of the Disease

AN INTRACELLULAR PARASITE DEVELOPING INTO SPIROCHAETES, Found by the Jelly Method of in Vitro Staining in Syphilitic Lesions and in the Circulating Blood During the Secondary Stages of the Disease