Carl Georg Röver (12 February 1889 – 15 May 1942) was a German Nazi Party official. His main posts were as Gauleiter of Gau Weser-Ems and Reichsstatthalter of both Oldenburg and Bremen .
74-768: Röver was born in Lemwerder and saw service in the First World War , initially with the regular army before joining the Propaganda department of the Oberste Heeresleitung . He originally became a member of the Nazi Party in 1923, and rejoined in 1925 following its period of outlaw. He also joined the Sturmabteilung (SA) rising to the rank of Obergruppenführer on 9 November 1938. He also attained an Obergruppenführer rank in
148-405: A fast heart rate . It is caused by cytokines released by the immune system in response to lipoproteins released from rupturing syphilis bacteria. Penicillin is an effective treatment for syphilis in pregnancy but there is no agreement on which dose or route of delivery is most effective. In 2012, about 0.5% of adults were infected with syphilis, with 6 million new cases. In 1999, it
222-678: A stroke in May 1942 and died in Berlin soon afterwards, Paul Wegener succeeding him as Gauleiter. His official cause of death is listed in some sources as pneumonia and in others as heart failure. His state funeral at the Reich Chancellery in Berlin proved a lavish event, with Adolf Hitler himself in attendance and Alfred Rosenberg delivering the eulogy. Röver's cause of death is disputed by David Irving , who claims in his book Hitler's War that Röver
296-760: A suffumigation . It was also treated by ingestion of mercury compounds. Once the disease had gained a strong foothold, however, the amounts and forms of mercury necessary to control its development exceeded the human body's ability to tolerate it, and the treatment became worse and more lethal than the disease. Nevertheless, medically directed mercury poisoning became widespread through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries in Europe, North America, and India. Mercury salts such as mercury (II) chloride were still in prominent medical use as late as 1916, and considered effective and worthwhile treatments. The first-line treatment for uncomplicated syphilis (primary or secondary stages) remains
370-489: A French invasion ( Italian War of 1494–98 ). Since it was claimed to have been spread by French troops, it was initially called the "French disease" by the people of Naples. The disease reached London in 1497 and was recorded at St Bartholomew's Hospital as infecting 10 out of the 20 patients. In 1530, the pastoral name "syphilis" (the name of a character) was first used by the Italian physician and poet Girolamo Fracastoro as
444-400: A form of chemotherapy , elemental mercury had been used to treat skin diseases in Europe as early as 1363. As syphilis spread, preparations of mercury were among the first medicines used to combat it. Mercury is in fact highly anti-microbial: by the 16th century it was sometimes found to be sufficient to halt development of the disease when applied to ulcers as an inunction or when inhaled as
518-644: A member of the Oldenburg Landtag . Finally, Adolf Hitler appointed him Gauleiter when the Gau Weser-Ems was established on 1 October 1928. In September 1930 he was elected to the Reichstag from electoral constituency 14, Weser-Ems. On 16 June 1932, he became Minister-president of Oldenburg, thus uniting under his control the highest party and governmental offices in his jurisdiction. When in September 1932
592-504: A mortal sin in medieval times. It remains mysterious why the authors of medieval medical treatises so uniformly refrained from describing syphilis or commenting on its existence in the population. Many may have confused it with other diseases such as leprosy ( Hansen's disease ) or elephantiasis . The great variety of symptoms of treponematosis, the different ages at which the various diseases appear, and its widely divergent outcomes depending on climate and culture, would have added greatly to
666-399: A mortality rate of 8% to 58%, with a greater death rate among males. The symptoms of syphilis have become less severe over the 19th and 20th centuries, in part due to widespread availability of effective treatment, and partly due to virulence of the bacteria. With early treatment, few complications result. Syphilis increases the risk of HIV transmission by two to five times, and coinfection
740-449: A single dose of intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin . The bacterium is highly vulnerable to penicillin when treated early, and a treated individual is typically rendered non-infective in about 24 hours. Doxycycline and tetracycline are alternative choices for those allergic to penicillin; due to the risk of birth defects , these are not recommended for pregnant women. Resistance to macrolides , rifampicin , and clindamycin
814-527: A slow doubling time of greater than 30 hours. The bacterium is known for its ability to evade the immune system and its invasiveness. Syphilis is transmitted primarily by sexual contact or during pregnancy from a mother to her baby; the bacterium is able to pass through intact mucous membranes or compromised skin. It is thus transmissible by kissing near a lesion, as well as manual , oral , vaginal , and anal sex . Approximately 30% to 60% of those exposed to primary or secondary syphilis will get
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#1732884682133888-496: A taboo. The magnitude of its morbidity and mortality in those centuries reflected that, unlike today, there was no adequate understanding of its pathogenesis and no truly effective treatments. Its damage was caused not so much by great sickness or death early in the course of the disease but rather by its gruesome effects decades after infection as it progressed to neurosyphilis with tabes dorsalis . Mercury compounds and isolation were commonly used, with treatments often worse than
962-419: A third of infected people develop tertiary disease. People with tertiary syphilis are not infectious. Gummatous syphilis or late benign syphilis usually occurs 1 to 46 years after the initial infection, with an average of 15 years. This stage is characterized by the formation of chronic gummas , which are soft, tumor-like balls of inflammation which may vary considerably in size. They typically affect
1036-583: Is benzathine benzylpenicillin injected into a muscle . In those who have a severe penicillin allergy , doxycycline or tetracycline may be used. In those with neurosyphilis , intravenous benzylpenicillin or ceftriaxone is recommended. During treatment people may develop fever, headache, and muscle pains , a reaction known as Jarisch–Herxheimer . In 2015, about 45.4 million people had syphilis infections, of which six million were new cases. During 2015, it caused about 107,000 deaths, down from 202,000 in 1990. After decreasing dramatically with
1110-611: Is a notifiable disease in many countries, including Canada, the European Union , and the United States. This means health care providers are required to notify public health authorities, which will then ideally provide partner notification to the person's partners. Physicians may also encourage patients to send their partners to seek care. Several strategies have been found to improve follow-up for STI testing, including email and text messaging of reminders for appointments. As
1184-604: Is a municipality in the district of Wesermarsch , in Lower Saxony , Germany . It is on the left bank of the Weser , approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi) east of Oldenburg , and 17 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of the centre of Bremen . Since April 2021, Lemwerder has been governed by Mayor Christina Winkelmann. The shipbuilding companies Lürssen and Abeking & Rasmussen both have shipyards in Lemwerder that specialise in
1258-599: Is also associated with miscarriage . The main dental defects seen in congenital syphilis are the peg-shaped, notched incisors known as Hutchinson's teeth and so-called mulberry molars (also known as Moon or Fournier molars), defective permanent molars with rounded, deformed crowns resembling a mulberry . Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum is a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative , highly mobile bacterium. Two other human diseases are caused by related Treponema pallidum subspecies, yaws (subspecies pertenue ) and bejel (subspecies endemicum ), and one further caused by
1332-570: Is believed to have infected 12 million additional people, with greater than 90% of cases in the developing world . It affects between 700,000 and 1.6 million pregnancies a year, resulting in spontaneous abortions , stillbirths , and congenital syphilis. During 2015, it caused about 107,000 deaths, down from 202,000 in 1990. In sub-Saharan Africa , syphilis contributes to approximately 20% of perinatal deaths . Rates are proportionally higher among intravenous drug users , those who are infected with HIV , and men who have sex with men. In
1406-518: Is common (30–60% in some urban centers). In 2015, Cuba became the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Paleopathologists have known for decades that syphilis was present in the Americas before European contact. The situation in Europe and Afro-Eurasia has been murkier and caused considerable debate. According to the Columbian theory, syphilis was brought to Spain by
1480-495: Is divided into early latent and late latent stages. Early latent syphilis is defined by the World Health Organization as less than 2 years after original infection. Early latent syphilis is infectious as up to 25% of people can develop a recurrent secondary infection (during which bacteria are actively replicating and are infectious). Two years after the original infection the person will enter late latent syphilis and
1554-589: Is effective at reducing the transmission of syphilis. The CDC states, "The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected." Congenital syphilis in the newborn can be prevented by screening mothers during early pregnancy and treating those who are infected. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends universal screening of all pregnant women, while
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#17328846821331628-430: Is not as infectious as the early phase. The latent phase of syphilis can last many years after which, without treatment, approximately 15-40% of people can develop tertiary syphilis. Tertiary syphilis may occur approximately 3 to 15 years after the initial infection and may be divided into three different forms: gummatous syphilis (15%), late neurosyphilis (6.5%), and cardiovascular syphilis (10%). Without treatment,
1702-559: Is not generally possible to contract syphilis through toilet seats, daily activities, hot tubs, or sharing eating utensils or clothing. This is mainly because the bacteria die very quickly outside of the body, making transmission by objects extremely difficult. Syphilis is difficult to diagnose clinically during early infection. Confirmation is either via blood tests or direct visual inspection using dark field microscopy . Blood tests are more commonly used, as they are easier to perform. Diagnostic tests are unable to distinguish between
1776-399: Is often present. Ceftriaxone , a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic , may be as effective as penicillin-based treatment. It is recommended that a treated person avoid sex until the sores are healed. In comparison to azithromycin for treatment in early infection, there is lack of strong evidence for superiority of azithromycin to benzathine penicillin G. For neurosyphilis, due to
1850-416: Is usually made by using blood tests ; the bacteria can also be detected using dark field microscopy . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) recommends for all pregnant women to be tested. The risk of sexual transmission of syphilis can be reduced by using a latex or polyurethane condom . Syphilis can be effectively treated with antibiotics . The preferred antibiotic for most cases
1924-758: The National Socialist Motor Corps (Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrerkorps or NSKK) on 30 January 1939. Already before the Nazi seizure of power, Carl Röver had been active in politics. He joined the Oldenburg Stadtsrat (Municipal Council) in 1924. He was an Ortsgruppenleiter for the party in April 1925 and a Bezirksleiter (District Leader) in Oldenburg and East Friesland in July 1927. On 20 May 1928 he became
1998-425: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends all women be tested at their first antenatal visit and again in the third trimester . If they are positive, it is recommended their partners also be treated. Congenital syphilis is still common in the developing world, as many women do not receive antenatal care at all, and the antenatal care others receive does not include screening. It still occasionally occurs in
2072-596: The cerebrospinal fluid in the setting of a known syphilis infection. Dark field microscopy of serous fluid from a chancre may be used to make an immediate diagnosis. Hospitals do not always have equipment or experienced staff members, and testing must be done within 10 minutes of acquiring the sample. Two other tests can be carried out on a sample from the chancre: direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. DFA uses antibodies tagged with fluorescein , which attach to specific syphilis proteins, while PCR uses techniques to detect
2146-595: The 1960s, examples of probable treponematosis —the parent disease of syphilis, bejel , and yaws —in skeletal remains shifted the opinion of some towards a "pre-Columbian" origin. When living conditions changed with urbanization, elite social groups began to practice basic hygiene and started to separate themselves from other social tiers. Consequently, treponematosis was driven out of the age group in which it had become endemic. It then began to appear in adults as syphilis. Because they had never been exposed as children, they were not able to fend off serious illness. Spreading
2220-672: The Oldenburg superior church council, the executive board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg , decided to give permission to use the St. Lambert's Church in Oldenburg city for the sermon of the African Pastor Robert Kwami . Röver reacted immediately, directing racist tirades against Kwami, the Norddeutsche Mission and the superior church council demanding to postpone the sermon. The Nazi-party called upon
2294-550: The State Ministry of Oldenburg, the Nazi-dominated state government, to stop the sermon. Despite the public threats by the local Nazis that were later become known as the so-called Kwami Affair , the sermon was carried out as planned on 20 September 1932. On 5 May 1933 Röver was appointed to the post of Reichsstatthalter for the states of both Oldenburg and Bremen after the Nazi regime effectively took centralized control of
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2368-633: The US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Europe, primarily among men who have sex with men. Rates of syphilis among US women have remained stable during this time, while rates among UK women have increased, but at a rate less than that of men. Increased rates among heterosexuals have occurred in China and Russia since the 1990s. This has been attributed to unsafe sexual practices, such as sexual promiscuity, prostitution, and decreasing use of barrier protection. Left untreated, it has
2442-498: The United States about 55,400 people are newly infected each year as of 2014 . African Americans accounted for almost half of all cases in 2010. As of 2014, syphilis infections continue to increase in the United States. In the United States as of 2020, rates of syphilis have increased by more than threefold; in 2018 approximately 86% of all cases of syphilis in the United States were in men. In 2021, preliminary CDC data illustrated that 2,677 cases of congenital syphilis were found in
2516-561: The absolute number of cases is not large, new ones are continually discovered, most recently in 2015. At least fifteen cases of acquired treponematosis based on evidence from bones, and six examples of congenital treponematosis based on evidence from teeth, are now widely accepted. In several of the twenty-one cases the evidence may also indicate syphilis. In 2020, a group of leading paleopathologists concluded that enough evidence had been collected to prove that treponemal disease, almost certainly including syphilis, had existed in Europe prior to
2590-480: The availability of penicillin in the 1940s, rates of infection have increased since the turn of the millennium in many countries, often in combination with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This is believed to be partly due to unsafe drug use, increased prostitution , and decreased use of condoms . Syphilis can present in one of four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, and may also occur congenitally . There may be no symptoms . It
2664-555: The bacterium responsible for treponematosis is rare in skeletal remains and fragile, making it notoriously difficult to recover and analyze. Precise dating to the medieval period is not yet possible but work by Kettu Majander et al. uncovering the presence of several different kinds of treponematosis at the beginning of the early modern period argues against its recent introduction from elsewhere. Therefore, they argue, treponematosis—possibly including syphilis—almost certainly existed in medieval Europe. Despite significant progress in tracing
2738-575: The confusion of medical practitioners, as indeed they did right down to the middle of the 20th century. In addition, evidence indicates that some writers on disease feared the political implications of discussing a condition more fatal to elites than to commoners. Historian Jon Arrizabalaga has investigated this question for Castile with startling results revealing an effort to hide its association with elites. The first written records of an outbreak of syphilis in Europe occurred in 1495 in Naples, Italy , during
2812-428: The construction of superyachts . [REDACTED] Media related to Lemwerder at Wikimedia Commons This Wesermarsch district location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Syphilis Syphilis ( / ˈ s ɪ f ə l ɪ s / ) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum . The signs and symptoms depend on
2886-607: The developed world, as those most likely to acquire syphilis are least likely to receive care during pregnancy. Several measures to increase access to testing appear effective at reducing rates of congenital syphilis in low- to middle-income countries. Point-of-care testing to detect syphilis appeared to be reliable, although more research is needed to assess its effectiveness and into improving outcomes in mothers and babies. The CDC recommends that sexually active men who have sex with men be tested at least yearly. The USPSTF also recommends screening among those at high risk. Syphilis
2960-499: The disease and has a limited effect on damage which has already occurred. Serologic cure can be measured when the non-treponemal titers decline by a factor of 4 or more in 6–12 months in early syphilis or 12–24 months in late syphilis. One of the potential side effects of treatment is the Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction . It frequently starts within one hour and lasts for 24 hours, with symptoms of fever, muscle pains, headache, and
3034-399: The disease via sexual contact also led to victims being infected with a massive bacterial load from open sores on the genitalia. Adults in higher socioeconomic groups then became very sick with painful and debilitating symptoms lasting for decades. Often, they died of the disease, as did their children who were infected with congenital syphilis. The difference between rural and urban populations
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3108-463: The disease. The causative organism, Treponema pallidum , was first identified by Fritz Schaudinn and Erich Hoffmann , in 1905. The first effective treatment for syphilis was arsphenamine , discovered by Sahachiro Hata in 1909, during a survey of hundreds of newly synthesized organic arsenical compounds led by Paul Ehrlich . It was manufactured and marketed from 1910 under the trade name Salvarsan by Hoechst AG . This organoarsenic compound
3182-505: The disease. Its infectivity is exemplified by the fact that an individual inoculated with only 57 organisms has a 50% chance of being infected. Most new cases in the United States (60%) occur in men who have sex with men; and in this population 20% of syphilis cases were due to oral sex alone. Syphilis can be transmitted by blood products , but the risk is low due to screening of donated blood in many countries. The risk of transmission from sharing needles appears to be limited. It
3256-485: The fearsome and sordid status of sexually transmitted infections in those centuries. According to a 2020 study, more than 20% of individuals in the age range 15–34 years in late 18th-century London were treated for syphilis. At the time the causative agent was unknown but it was well known that it was spread sexually and also often from mother to child. Its association with sex, especially sexual promiscuity and prostitution , made it an object of fear and revulsion and
3330-456: The genitals (2–7%). The most common location in women is the cervix (44%), the penis in heterosexual men (99%), and anally and rectally in men who have sex with men (34%). Lymph node enlargement frequently (80%) occurs around the area of infection, occurring seven to 10 days after chancre formation. The lesion may persist for three to six weeks if left untreated. Secondary syphilis occurs approximately four to ten weeks after
3404-537: The infection. It may occur early, being either asymptomatic or in the form of syphilitic meningitis ; or late as meningovascular syphilis, manifesting as general paresis or tabes dorsalis . Meningovascular syphilis involves inflammation of the small and medium arteries of the central nervous system. It can present between 1–10 years after the initial infection. Meningovascular syphilis is characterized by stroke, cranial nerve palsies and spinal cord inflammation . Late symptomatic neurosyphilis can develop decades after
3478-408: The men who sailed with Christopher Columbus in 1492 and spread from there, with a serious epidemic in Naples beginning as early as 1495. Contemporaries believed the disease sprang from American roots, and in the 16th century physicians wrote extensively about the new disease inflicted on them by the returning explorers. Most evidence supports the Columbian origin hypothesis. However, beginning in
3552-464: The most typical deformities, for example, is a collapsed nasal bridge called saddle nose . Salmon discovered that it appeared often in medieval illuminations , especially among the men tormenting Christ in scenes of the crucifixion. The association of saddle nose with men perceived to be so evil they would kill the son of God indicates the artists were thinking of syphilis, which is typically transmitted through sexual intercourse with promiscuous partners,
3626-761: The mouth or vagina. Latent syphilis has no symptoms and can last years. In tertiary syphilis, there are gummas (soft, non-cancerous growths), neurological problems, or heart symptoms. Syphilis has been known as " the great imitator " because it may cause symptoms similar to many other diseases. Syphilis is most commonly spread through sexual activity . It may also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis . Other diseases caused by Treponema bacteria include yaws ( T. pallidum subspecies pertenue ), pinta ( T. carateum ), and nonvenereal endemic syphilis ( T. pallidum subspecies endemicum ). These three diseases are not typically sexually transmitted. Diagnosis
3700-571: The move consistently and managed to convince Hitler to decline Göring's requests. On 4 September 1935, Rover was made a member of Hans Frank 's Academy for German Law . He was something of a favourite of Martin Bormann , a fact that helped to ensure that when an Arbeitsbereich ("working sphere" - an external unit of the Nazi Party) was set up in the neighbouring occupied Netherlands most of its staff were drawn from Weser-Ems. Röver supposedly suffered
3774-499: The optic nerve , uveitis , and interstitial keratitis . The acute symptoms usually resolve after three to six weeks; about 25% of people may present with a recurrence of secondary symptoms. Many people who present with secondary syphilis (40–85% of women, 20–65% of men) do not report previously having had the classical chancre of primary syphilis. Latent syphilis is defined as having serologic proof of infection without symptoms of disease. It develops after secondary syphilis and
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#17328846821333848-488: The original infection and includes 2 types; general paresis and tabes dorsalis. General paresis presents with dementia, personality changes, delusions, seizures, psychosis and depression. Tabes dorsalis is characterized by gait instability, sharp pains in the trunk and limbs, impaired positional sensation of the limbs as well as having a positive Romberg's sign . Both tabes dorsalis and general paresis may present with Argyll Robertson pupil which are pupils that constrict when
3922-673: The person focuses on near objects ( accommodation reflex ) but do not constrict when exposed to bright light ( pupillary reflex ). Congenital syphilis is that which is transmitted during pregnancy or during birth. Two-thirds of syphilitic infants are born without symptoms. Common symptoms that develop over the first couple of years of life include enlargement of the liver and spleen (70%), rash (70%), fever (40%), neurosyphilis (20%), and lung inflammation (20%). If untreated, late congenital syphilis may occur in 40%, including saddle nose deformation, Higouménakis' sign , saber shin , or Clutton's joints among others. Infection during pregnancy
3996-456: The poor penetration of benzathine penicillin into the central nervous system , those affected are given large doses of intravenous penicillin G for a minimum of 10 days. If a person is allergic to penicillin, ceftriaxone may be used or penicillin desensitization attempted. Other late presentations may be treated with once-weekly intramuscular benzathine penicillin for three weeks. Treatment at this stage solely limits further progression of
4070-404: The population of 332 million in the United States. Syphilis was very common in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Flaubert found it universal among 19th-century Egyptian prostitutes. In the developed world during the early 20th century, infections declined rapidly with the widespread use of antibiotics , until the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000, rates of syphilis have been increasing in
4144-499: The possibility of false positives with nontreponemal tests, confirmation is required with a treponemal test, such as Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPHA) or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-Abs). Treponemal antibody tests usually become positive two to five weeks after the initial infection and remain positive for many years. Neurosyphilis is diagnosed by finding high numbers of leukocytes (predominately lymphocytes ) and high protein levels in
4218-417: The presence of specific syphilis genes . These tests are not as time-sensitive, as they do not require living bacteria to make the diagnosis. As of 2018 , there is no vaccine effective for prevention. Several vaccines based on treponemal proteins reduce lesion development in an animal model but research continues. Condom use reduces the likelihood of transmission during sex, but does not eliminate
4292-415: The presence of syphilis in past historic periods, definitive findings from paleopathology and aDNA studies are still lacking for the medieval period. Evidence from art is therefore helpful in settling the issue. Research by Marylynn Salmon has demonstrated that deformities in medieval subjects can be identified by comparing them to those of modern victims of syphilis in medical drawings and photographs. One of
4366-747: The primary infection. While secondary disease is known for the many different ways it can manifest, symptoms most commonly involve the skin , mucous membranes , and lymph nodes . There may be a symmetrical, reddish-pink, non-itchy rash on the trunk and extremities, including the palms and soles. The rash may become maculopapular or pustular . It may form flat, broad, whitish, wart-like lesions on mucous membranes, known as condyloma latum . All of these lesions harbor bacteria and are infectious. Other symptoms may include fever , sore throat , malaise , weight loss , hair loss , and headache . Rare manifestations include liver inflammation , kidney disease, joint inflammation , periostitis , inflammation of
4440-453: The risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, "Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of syphilis only when the infected area or site of potential exposure is protected. However, a syphilis sore outside of the area covered by a latex condom can still allow transmission, so caution should be exercised even when using a condom." Abstinence from intimate physical contact with an infected person
4514-442: The skin, bone, and liver, but can occur anywhere. Cardiovascular syphilis usually occurs 10–30 years after the initial infection. The most common complication is syphilitic aortitis , which may result in aortic aneurysm formation. Neurosyphilis refers to an infection involving the central nervous system . Involvement of the central nervous system in syphilis (either asymptomatic or symptomatic) can occur at any stage of
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#17328846821334588-412: The stage it presents: primary, secondary, latent or tertiary. The primary stage classically presents with a single chancre (a firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration usually between 1 cm and 2 cm in diameter) though there may be multiple sores. In secondary syphilis, a diffuse rash occurs, which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may also be sores in
4662-517: The stages of the disease. Blood tests are divided into nontreponemal and treponemal tests. Nontreponemal tests are used initially and include venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests. False positives on the nontreponemal tests can occur with some viral infections, such as varicella (chickenpox) and measles . False positives can also occur with lymphoma , tuberculosis , malaria , endocarditis , connective tissue disease , and pregnancy . Because of
4736-510: The state governments in Germany. In this post he played a role in the perpetration of the Holocaust as he personally signed the order for every Jew deported from Bremen during his life. However, in this role Röver also clashed with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring , who as Minister President of Prussia , made no secret of his desire to incorporate Bremen into Prussia. Röver, however, opposed
4810-485: The time) a single, firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration with a clean base and sharp borders approximately 0.3–3.0 cm in size. The lesion may take on almost any form. In the classic form, it evolves from a macule to a papule and finally to an erosion or ulcer . Occasionally, multiple lesions may be present (~40%), with multiple lesions being more common when coinfected with HIV. Lesions may be painful or tender (30%), and they may occur in places other than
4884-488: The title of his Latin poem in dactylic hexameter Syphilis sive morbus gallicus ( Syphilis or The French Disease ) describing the ravages of the disease in Italy. In Great Britain it was also called the "Great Pox". In the 16th through 19th centuries, syphilis was one of the largest public health burdens in prevalence , symptoms, and disability, although records of its true prevalence were generally not kept because of
4958-471: The treponemal diseases is pinta , a skin disease and therefore unrecoverable through paleopathology.) Ancient DNA (aDNA) holds the answer, because just as only aDNA suffices to distinguish between syphilis and other diseases that produce similar symptoms in the body, it alone can differentiate spirochetes that are 99.8 percent identical with absolute accuracy. Progress on uncovering the historical extent of syndromes through aDNA remains slow, however, because
5032-406: The very closely related Treponema carateum , pinta . Unlike subspecies pallidum , they do not cause neurological disease. Humans are the only known natural reservoir for subspecies pallidum . It is unable to survive more than a few days without a host . This is due to its small genome (1.14 Mbp ) failing to encode the metabolic pathways necessary to make most of its macronutrients. It has
5106-504: The voyages of Columbus. There is an outstanding issue, however. Damaged teeth and bones may seem to hold proof of pre-Columbian syphilis, but there is a possibility that they point to an endemic form of treponemal disease instead. As syphilis, bejel, and yaws vary considerably in mortality rates and the level of human disease they elicit, it is important to know which one is under discussion in any given case, but it remains difficult for paleopathologists to distinguish among them. (The fourth of
5180-475: Was confirmed in trials in 1943, at which time it became the main treatment. Many famous historical figures, including Franz Schubert , Arthur Schopenhauer , Édouard Manet , Charles Baudelaire , and Guy de Maupassant are believed to have had the disease. Friedrich Nietzsche was long believed to have gone mad as a result of tertiary syphilis , but that diagnosis has recently come into question. The earliest known depiction of an individual with syphilis
5254-503: Was first noted by Ellis Herndon Hudson, a clinician who published extensively about the prevalence of treponematosis, including syphilis, in times past. The importance of bacterial load was first noted by the physician Ernest Grin in 1952 in his study of syphilis in Bosnia. The most compelling evidence for the validity of the pre-Columbian hypothesis is the presence of syphilitic-like damage to bones and teeth in medieval skeletal remains. While
5328-624: Was killed by Nazi agents who had been sent specifically by Martin Bormann . This is also the conclusion of Bormann's biographer Jochen Von Lang, who states that Röver's increasingly erratic behaviour was caused by progressive dementia brought on by late stage syphilis , supposedly contracted before the First World War: “Bormann ordered that the nature of the disease be kept secret. From Munich he dispatched two agents to Oldenburg who, on 15 May, were able to report to him that Röver had died, officially from heart failure.” Lemwerder Lemwerder
5402-403: Was referred to as "the great imitator" by Sir William Osler due to its varied presentations. Primary syphilis is typically acquired by direct sexual contact with the infectious lesions of another person. Approximately 2–6 weeks after contact (with a range of 10–90 days) a skin lesion, called a chancre , appears at the site and this contains infectious bacteria. This is classically (40% of
5476-449: Was the first modern chemotherapeutic agent . During the 20th century, as both microbiology and pharmacology advanced greatly, syphilis, like many other infectious diseases, became more of a manageable burden than a scary and disfiguring mystery, at least in developed countries among those people who could afford to pay for timely diagnosis and treatment. Penicillin was discovered in 1928, and effectiveness of treatment with penicillin
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