Researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are expressing concern about the emergence of a small outbreak ofsyphilis eyepiece in the country.
The disease was traced in a group of five women who presented symptoms after having sexual relations with the same man.
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According to US health authorities, the Treponema pallidum, the bacteria that causes syphilis, can infect the eyes, ears and brain. However, eye infection is not that common, which points to a dangerous mutation of the pathogen.
The study that presented this outbreak of ocular syphilis cases in the USA was only presented now by the CDC, but the women involved sought help between March and May of last year.
In general, the patients, who are between 40 and 60 years old, presented common symptoms such as headaches, photophobia, dizziness, nausea and blurred vision. When the causes of the symptoms were investigated, the bacteria that caused syphilis were identified.
Since all of the women cited a specific man as a recent sexual partner, the investigators decided to invite him for consultations. As a result, it was discovered that the individual had latent syphilis, having been treated with penicillin in the past.
In its latent form, the Treponema pallidum does not manifest itself in the host's body. However, as it remains in the person's body, it can be transmitted.
Also according to infectious diseases specialists in STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), ocular syphilis is rare, developing in a low percentage of infected patients.
In general, the disease only affects the eyes of advanced-stage carriers, those aged 65 or over and HIV-positive. The use of some drugs can also weaken the immune system and favor the appearance of ocular syphilis.
None of the five women involved in this mini outbreak that occurred in the USA are part of the risk groups mentioned above. Also for this reason, CDC authorities suggest that Treponema pallidum had any recent mutations.
However, it is worth highlighting that during the tests carried out on the man who infected the women, no trace of a possible new strain of T. pallidum was found.
In any case, infectious disease specialists in the USA and around the world are now on alert for the appearance of mutations that make syphilis capable of “walking” through the body with greater freedom.
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