Review
Genetic diversity in Treponema pallidum: Implications for pathogenesis, evolution and molecular diagnostics of syphilis and yaws

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2011.12.001Get rights and content
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Abstract

Pathogenic uncultivable treponemes, similar to syphilis-causing Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, include T. pallidum ssp. pertenue, T. pallidum ssp. endemicum and Treponema carateum, which cause yaws, bejel and pinta, respectively. Genetic analyses of these pathogens revealed striking similarity among these bacteria and also a high degree of similarity to the rabbit pathogen, Treponema paraluiscuniculi, a treponeme not infectious to humans. Genome comparisons between pallidum and non-pallidum treponemes revealed genes with potential involvement in human infectivity, whereas comparisons between pallidum and pertenue treponemes identified genes possibly involved in the high invasivity of syphilis treponemes. Genetic variability within syphilis strains is considered as the basis of syphilis molecular epidemiology with potential to detect more virulent strains, whereas genetic variability within a single strain is related to its ability to elude the immune system of the host. Genome analyses also shed light on treponemal evolution and on chromosomal targets for molecular diagnostics of treponemal infections.

Highlights

► We reviewed genetic diversity in pathogenic uncultivable treponemes. ► Genes involved in human infectivity and treponemal invasivity were discussed. ► Variability within syphilis strains was considered in the light of molecular epidemiology. ► Treponemal evolution was confronted with genetic data.

Keywords

Treponema pallidum
Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue
Treponema pallidum ssp. endemicum
Treponema paraluiscuniculi
Whole genome sequencing
Molecular evolution
Molecular diagnostics

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