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Yaws in West Sumatra, Indonesia: Clinical manifestations, serological findings and characterisation of new Treponema isolates by DNA probes

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Abstract

The results of a yaws survey on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia are presented. The prevalence of yaws in the investigated region was found to be very high, a minimum of 300 cases per 100,000 individuals, which indicates that yaws is far from being eradicated and that campaigns for treatment are necessary. Patients suffering from early infectious yaws showed florid skin lesions. Of 101 serum samples from such patients, 100 had a positive reaction in one or more treponemal tests. TheTreponema pallidum haemagglutination assay was found to be the most sensitive test (97 % positive) in detecting antibodies againstTreponema pallidum subsp.pertenue, followed by the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (94 %), the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test and the TmpA enzyme immunoassay (91 %), and analysis by Western blot usingTreponema pallidum antigens (88 %). Of 42 asymptomatic contacts of yaws patients 32 showed positive reactions in one or more tests, indicating that many people in the investigated region have been infected with treponemes. Eight newTreponema pallidum subsp.pertenue strains were isolated from yaws skin lesions. In vitro amplification of treponemal DNA and hybridisation with specific DNA probes showed that all eight strains were identical withTreponema pallidum subsp.pertenue CDC 2575, with regard to the subsp.pertenue specifictyfl gene.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    G. T. Noordhoek, G. N. Aelbers & J. D. A. van Embden

  2. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt and Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    H. J. H. Engelkens, J. van der Stek, J. J. A. van der Sluis & E. Stolz

  3. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Faculty, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

    Jubianto Judanarso

Authors
  1. G. T. Noordhoek
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  2. H. J. H. Engelkens
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  3. Jubianto Judanarso
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  4. J. van der Stek
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  5. G. N. Aelbers
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  6. J. J. A. van der Sluis
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  7. J. D. A. van Embden
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  8. E. Stolz
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Noordhoek, G.T., Engelkens, H.J.H., Judanarso, J. et al. Yaws in West Sumatra, Indonesia: Clinical manifestations, serological findings and characterisation of new Treponema isolates by DNA probes. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 10, 12–19 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01967091

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