Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  1998 May;5(1):143-146. 10.14776/kjpid.1998.5.1.143.

A Case of Syphilis which is Thought to be Infected by the Abnormal Imposition of Hands on a Child

• Choe JH
• Shin YK
• Eun BL

• KMID: 2440330
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/kjpid.1998.5.1.143

Abstract

Syphilis is a systemic communicable disease caused by the motile spirochete, Treponema pallidum, which is only a natural pathogen for human. The distribution and trends of syphilis are influenced by biologic factors, sexual behaviors, biomedical technology, availability of and access to health care, public health efforts, changes in population dynamics, and sociocultural factors. Although sexual contact is the main route of transmission, Treponema pallidum may also be infected through direct contact with syphilitic lesions, blood transfusion, ingestion of menstrual blood or vaginal secretions, or transplacental transmissions. In extremely unusual circumstances, infection by means of contact with a skin lesion and human bite have been reported. We experienced a case of syphilis which is thought to be infected by the abnormal imposition of hands on a child, which caused unnecessary erosive trauma with fingernails.

Keyword

Syphilis; Treponema pallidum; Imposition; Child

MeSH Terms

Biological Factors
Biomedical Technology
Bites, Human
Blood Transfusion
Child*
Communicable Diseases
Eating
Hand*
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Nails
Population Dynamics
Public Health
Sexual Behavior
Skin
Spirochaetales
Syphilis*
Treponema pallidum
Biological Factors