Sign Up for a Free Account

This is an image preview.
Start a Free Account
to view the full image.

Sign Up for a Free Account For information on discounts, see Plans & Pricing

  • Nearly 3,000 illustrations, including video clips of neurologic disorders.

  • Every article is reviewed by our esteemed Editorial Board for accuracy and currency.

  • Full spectrum of neurology in 1,200 comprehensive articles.

  • Listen to MedLink on the go with Audio versions of each article.

Treponema pallidum spirochetes (photomicrograph)

Using a dark field microscopy technique, this photomicrograph revealed the presence of Treponema pallidum spirochetes. A diagnosis of syphilis is confirmed with dark field microscopy demonstrating T. pallidum in material from suspected lesions or regional lymph nodes. A positive dark-field result is an almost certain diagnosis of primary, secondary, or early congenital syphilis. (Source: CDC and WF Schwartz, 1961. Public Health Image Library, image 10179. Public domain.)

Related Article

Related Media

Associated Disorders

  • Congenital HIV infection
  • Congenital central nervous system infections
  • Congenital cytomegalovirus infection
  • Congenital herpes virus infection
  • Congenital infections
  • Congenital rubella infection
  • Congenital toxoplasmosis infection
  • Maternal HIV infection
  • Maternal syphilis