A bacterium responsible for causing syphilis.
Small agent and cannot be detected by ordinary microscopy.
Cannot be isolated in culture.
Organism seen on dark field microscopy.
A corkscrew shaped organism.
Identified by darkfield microscopy or direct fluorescent antibody test.
Typically screened for by nontreponemal serologic tests VDRL ( Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) and the RPR test.
If screening tests are positive the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption or T pallium particle agglutination test are performed.
Extremely sensitive to penicillin, but has a slow doubling time and requires prolonged antibiotic exposure for control of infection.