YAWS / MedUrgent

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 YAWS







Yaws is a non-venereal spirochaetal disease caused by treponema pertenue.

The disease is transmitted by direct contact through skin abrasions. It is common in children (70% of cases) and adults in Africa, South America, South East Asia, South Pacific Islands and Australia, mostly in worm and humid areas.








Clinical Picture

The Primary lesion starts as a papule that ulcerates and increase in size and may get secondary infected, develop into secondary lesion or heals spontaneously. The Secondary lesion appears after weeks to years from the primary lesion. It may present as crops of papules, rounded framboesial granuloma, papilloma, ulcers, hyper-keratosis of palms and soles, osteitis, dermatitis and lymphadenopathy. The Tertiary lesions appear after a latent period and manifests as necrotic lesions of the skin and bones (saber tibia and boomerang leg), palatal destruction, bursitis and secondary infections. Goundou (boney thickness of the maxilla) and Gangosa (ulcerative lesions arising in the nasopharynx) are two disfiguring conditions associated with tertiary yaws in Africa and South East Asia. Similar - and difficult to differentiate-chronic and disfiguring conditions are caused by Pejel (endemic syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum) and Pinta (caused by Treponema carateum).




Laboratory tests 

Diagnosis is based on dark-field microscopy of exudates from the lesion to see the motile spirochetes. Serological tests are not very specific.


Treatment

Treatment is by Benzathine penicillin (one dose), or alternatively erythromycin or Amoxycillin for two weeks.

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