Yaws

Excerpt

Yaws is a non-venereal tropical infectious disease caused by the organism Treponema pertenue. This organism is closely related to the syphilitic spirochete, Treponema pallidum. Yaws is most commonly seen among children in tropical regions and is spread by skin-to-skin contact. The disease is characterized by an acute phase followed by a chronic, relapsing course in a minority of patients. Clinically, the disease is comprised of distinct stages similar to venereal syphilis with cutaneous findings in early stages, and after a latent period, late yaws may manifest as gummatous nodules, scarring, and destructive bone lesions. Treatment was traditionally benzathine penicillin-G, but as a single dose of azithromycin has been found to equally effective for primary and secondary stages, the latter has become the cornerstone of therapy. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes possible eradication of Yaws by 2020.