Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum DNA and RNA in Semen of a Syphilis Patient Without Genital or Anal Lesions

Abstract

Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum DNA and RNA were detected in a semen specimen of a syphilis patient with no genital or anal sores and no clinically evident orchitis. No nucleic acids were found in a urine sample of the same patient collected immediately before the semen sample. Exposure to the syphilis agent through semen could account for transmission episodes in the absence of direct contact with a syphilitic sore.

Viruses, bacteria and parasites: infection of the male genital tract and fertility

“…Although rarely found in semen [ 161 , 162 ], Treponema pallidum is the etiological agent of syphilis, which is one of the four curable sexually transmissible infections with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis [ 2 ]. Syphilis accounted for 7.1 million new cases in 2020 according to the WHO estimates [ 2 ].…”

“…• Temporary or permanent oligozoospermia to azoospermia [142] Staphylococcus aureus • Seminal vesicles and semen [127,[147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156] • Testis [157] • Prostate [125,151,158,159] • Seminal vesicle, prostatic and testicular abscesses [125,150,151,157,159,160] • Epididymo-orchitis [150,157] • Foci of prostatic and testicular necrosis [157,160] • Enlarged and tender prostate [125,150,151,158,160] • Dysuria [125,150,151,157,158] • Controversial [148,[152][153][154][155] Treponema pallidum • Semen [161,162] • Penis [162,163] • Testis [164]…”

Quantified Detection of Treponema pallidum DNA by PCR Assays in Urine and Plasma of Syphilis Patients

“…Known as a multistage sexually transmitted disease, the causative pathogen Treponema pallidum sub. pallidum ( T. pallidum ) can readily disseminate to many organs ( 2 ), and therefore T. pallidum DNA can be detected in various tissues and fluids by PCR assays ( 3 – 6 ).…”