Demonstration of Treponema pallidum in a cutaneous gumma by indirect immunofluorescence

Arch Dermatol. 1983 Aug;119(8):677-80.

Abstract

Treponema pallidum was demonstrated in a cutaneous, tertiary syphilitic lesion by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, but not by darkfield microscopy illumination or silver stain. The numerous organisms observed by this method may help explain the histologically vigorous tissue reaction in tertiary syphilis, despite the scarcity of organisms demonstrable by other methods.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penis / pathology
  • Skin / microbiology*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Syphilis / blood
  • Syphilis / microbiology*
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification*