Skip to main content
. 2013 Oct 24;7(10):e2283. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002283

Table 1. Characteristics of the four treponemal diseases.

T. p. pallidum T. p. pertenue T. p. endemicum T. carateum
Epidemiology
Geographical distribution (climate) Worldwide Tropics (hot, humid areas) Deserts of Africa and Saudi Arabia (hot, dry areas) Central and South America (hot, humid areas)
Age group (peak incidence) Adults (18–30) Children (2–10) Children (2–10) Adults (15–50)
Transmission Sexual and congenital Skin-to-skin contact Mouth-to-mouth or utensils Skin-to-skin contact
Clinical characteristics
Initial lesion (location) Common (genitals) Common (lower extremities) Rare (oral mucosa) Common (extremities)
Dissemination Widespread and systemic Widespread to skin and bone Limited to intertriginous areas and facial bone Limited only to skin
Late complications without treatment (%) Gummas (10%), neurological (10%), cardiovascular (10–15%) Destructive lesions of skin and bones (10%) Destruction of nose/palate Local skin hypo- achromia