Condyloma lata(Treponema pallidum)A 19 year old female student comes into the student health clinic complaining of moist, flat, pink, peripheral warty lesions on her vulva. She also reports some hair loss on her scalp. She recalls that 2 weeks ago there was a local, nontender ulcer (chancre) on her labia that resolved spontaneously. She admits to being an IV drug user. Laboratory: Spirochete on darkfield and immunoflourescence microscopy. FTA-ABS positive. VDRL positive. Discussion: The clinical presentation of condyloma lata and labs diagnose secondary syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum. The primary and secondary stages are infectious. The moist lesions on genitalia are called condylomata lata. Secondary syphilis may also present with a maculopapular rash on the palms and soles. In secondary syphilis, alopecia of scalp, eyebrows and beard is common. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, exposure to infected body fluids, IV drug use, and transplacental exposure. For more information on Treponema pallidum, click here.
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