A Novel Treponema pallidum Subspecies pallidum Strain Associated With a Painful Oral Lesion Is a Member of a Potentially Emerging Nichols-Related Subgroup

Authors

• Maria Rosa Velasquez
• Bridget D De Lay
• Diane G Edmondson
• Gary P Wormser
• Steven J Norris
• Kaitlin Cafferky
• Eric Munzer
• Ciril-Christian Rizk
• Marina Keller

Language

English

Publication Date

7-1-2024

Journal

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

DOI

10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001971

PMID

38829929

PMCID

PMC11542556

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Background: Early syphilitic lesions are typically painless; however, several recent case studies have included patients with tender lesions and no evidence of concurrent infections. Here we present the manifestations and serological and molecular findings of a patient from New York State with a painful tongue lesion.

Methods: The diagnosis of syphilis was based on a combination of physical examination, serologic, pathologic, and immunohistochemical findings. DNA obtained from a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy was used to characterize the infecting pathogen using polymerase chain reaction, multilocus sequence typing, and whole-genome sequencing methods.

Results: Polymerase chain reaction and multilocus sequence typing of the biopsy specimen confirmed infection with T. pallidum subspecies pallidum ( T. pallidum ) of the Nichols cluster. Whole-genome sequencing analysis of this strain (herein called NYMC01) showed that it contained 17 unique single nucleotide variations and 4 more complex genetic differences; this novel genotype matched only 2 specimens, both from a patient in Seattle, Washington. The presence of this rare genotype in 2 geographically distinct locations suggests the potential emergence and spread of a new subgroup of the Nichols cluster.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first genomic sequence obtained from a T. pallidum strain linked to a painful lesion, and the third description of whole-genome sequencing of T. pallidum from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Analysis of additional specimens may reveal that the NYMC01-related genotype represents an emerging T. pallidum subgroup and may also aid in determining whether the painful clinical presentation of primary syphilis is related to specific T. pallidum genotypes.

Keywords

Humans, Treponema pallidum, Syphilis, Male, Whole Genome Sequencing, Genotype, Multilocus Sequence Typing, Tongue, DNA, Bacterial, Adult, New York, Washington, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Phylogeny, Genome, Bacterial, Syphilis, Treponema pallidum, painful chancre, tongue lesion, whole genome sequencing, bacterial genotype

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Velasquez, Maria Rosa; De Lay, Bridget D; Edmondson, Diane G; et al., "A Novel Treponema pallidum Subspecies pallidum Strain Associated With a Painful Oral Lesion Is a Member of a Potentially Emerging Nichols-Related Subgroup" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 4080.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/4080