Microbiology 9th Edition by Laura Black, Jacquelyn Black

Exercise 21

Match the stages of syphilis to their descriptions:
(a) Disease of multiple body systems occurs including "neurosyphilis" with formations of granulomatous inflammation called "gummas."
(b) All symptoms disappear again. Can persist for life, vari able periods, or not at all. In some patients syphilis does not progress beyond this stage.
(c) Highly contagious stage in which symptoms can appear, disappear, and reappear over a period of up to 5 years. Copper-colored rashes are common.
(d) External signs of disease disappear, but blood tests are still positive since the spirochetes are spreading through the circulation.
(e) Inflammatory "chancres" usually develop at the primary entry site 3 weeks later after initial infection. Chancres disappear 4-6 weeks later but disease has progressed to next stage.
(f) Organisms are multiplying and spreading throughout the body over a period lasting 2-6 weeks after enter ing the body.