bacterial resistant stages ͉ doxycycline ͉ medical symbiotics ͉ multiple sclerosis ͉ spirochete cysts

We advocate investigation of spirochete cyclical symbioses (e.g., Borrelia sp., Leptospira sp., Treponema sp.) given the newly established verification of a developmental history in these gram-negative motile helical eubacteria, both in pure culture and in mammals. Symbiotic spirochetes can be compared to free-living relatives for their levels of integration (behavioral, metabolic, gene product or genetic levels). Detailed research that correlates life histories of symbiotic spirochetes to changes in the immune system of associated vertebrates is sorely needed. Genome analyses show that in necrotrophic symbioses (Borrelia and Treponema sp.) of humans and other primates, integration of the bionts occurs at the gene product and genetic level. Spirochete round bodies (also called cysts, L-forms and sphaeroplasts) can be induced by many types of unfavorable conditions (e.g., threats of starvation, desiccation, oxidation, penicillin and other antibiotics). Reversion to familiar helical, motile active swimmers by placement of pure cultures into favorable environments in some cases can be controlled. These observationsare supported by a European literature, especially Russian, apparently unknown to American medicine and medical research.

This review argues that syphilis has been underdiagnosed and undertreated, a problem that goes back to the beginning of the Wassermann era, and indeed long before. Non-treponemal tests do not detect the larger pool of persons with latent syphilis, the immunological consequences of which have not been systematically investigated in the context of HIV infection and progression to AIDS. Recent efforts to confirm the prevalence of syphilis in high-risk patients by reverse sequence screening, i.e. using a treponemal test first, as the screening test, have revealed untreated syphilis at higher rates than expected. Further testing using PCR discovered even more previously undetected cases. We suggest that latent syphilis is a chronic active immunological condition that drives the AIDS process and cannot be managed with the older Wassermann-based algorithm, and that non-treponemal tests have failed to associate syphilis with immune suppression since this screening concept was developed in 1906. In light of the overwhelming association between a past history of syphilis and HIV seroconversion, more sensitive tools, including recombinant antigen-based immunological tests and direct detection (PCR) technology, are needed to adequately assess the role of latent syphilis in persons with HIV/AIDS. Repeating older syphilis reinoculation studies may help establish a successful animal model for AIDS, and resolve many paradoxes in HIV science.

consecutively with total of 127 samples. All steps in this research; history taking, physical examination, and blood tests were done blindedly.Results The results of this study using serum specimens were sensitivity of 91.30%, specificity of 97.53%, positive predictive value 95.45%, negative predictive value of 95.18%, and accuracy 95.28. Test results with fingerprick whole blood specimens gave sensitivity of 84.78%, specificity of 98.77%, positive predictive value of 97.50%, negative predictive value of 91.95%, and accuracy 93.70%. Compatibility of rapid test STANDARD™ Q Syphilis Ab results between serum and fingerprick whole blood specimens was very good(k=0.8223). Conclusion Rapid test STANDARD™ Q Syphilis Ab can be used as an option for treponemal test in supporting syphilis diagnosis, either as routine screening or confirmation of nontreponemal test result. The fingerprick whole blood specimen can be used as treponemal test alternative which is faster and easier to do. Disclosure No significant relationships.