Bejel
Encyclopedia
Bejel, or endemic syphilis, is a chronic skin and tissue disease caused by infection by a subspecies of the spirochete Treponema pallidum
.
Bejel is also known by a variety of other names, including belesh, dichuchwa, endemic syphilis, nonvenereal syphilis, frenga, njovera, skerljevo, siti, or treponematosis-bejel type.
and serologically
indistinguishable from Treponema pallidum pallidum, which causes venereal syphilis
, transmission of bejel is not venereal in nature, generally resulting from mouth-to-mouth contact or sharing of domestic utensils, and the courses of the two diseases are somewhat different.
) of the leg bones is commonly seen, and gummas
of the nose and soft palate develop in later stages.
, where it is known as sahel.
or other antibiotics, resulting in a complete recovery.
Treponema pallidum
Treponema pallidum is a species of spirochaete bacterium with subspecies that cause treponemal diseases such as syphilis, bejel, pinta and yaws. The treponemes have a cytoplasmic and outer membrane...
.
Bejel is also known by a variety of other names, including belesh, dichuchwa, endemic syphilis, nonvenereal syphilis, frenga, njovera, skerljevo, siti, or treponematosis-bejel type.
Causes
Although the organism that causes bejel, Treponema pallidum endemicum, is morphologicallyComparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms. It is closely related to evolutionary biology and phylogeny .-Description:...
and serologically
Serology
Serology is the scientific study of blood serum and other bodily fluids. In practice, the term usually refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum...
indistinguishable from Treponema pallidum pallidum, which causes venereal syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
, transmission of bejel is not venereal in nature, generally resulting from mouth-to-mouth contact or sharing of domestic utensils, and the courses of the two diseases are somewhat different.
Presentation
Bejel usually begins in childhood as a small mucous patch, often on the interior of the mouth, followed by the appearance of raised, eroding lesions on the limbs and trunk. Periostitis (inflammationInflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
) of the leg bones is commonly seen, and gummas
Gumma (pathology)
A gumma is a soft, non-cancerous growth resulting from the tertiary stage of syphilis. It is a form of granuloma. Gummas are most commonly found in the liver , but can also be found in brain, heart, skin, bone, testis, and other tissues, leading to a variety of potential problems including...
of the nose and soft palate develop in later stages.
Epidemiology
Bejel is mainly found in arid countries of the eastern Mediterranean region and in West AfricaWest Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, where it is known as sahel.
Treatment
It is treatable with penicillinPenicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
or other antibiotics, resulting in a complete recovery.