A young man presents to the emergency depament with a maculopapular rash 2 weeks after healing of a painless genital ulcer. The most likely etiological agent is:
Treponema Pallidum
Treponema Peunae
Chlamydia Trachomatis
Calymmatobacter granulomatis
Humans are the only natural reservoir of Treponema pallidum. It readily penetrates abraded skin and mucous membranes to multiply locally and spread through the blood stream or lymphatics. A developing maculopapular rash two weeks after a painless genital ulcer indicates a diagnosis of secondary syphillis. Ref: Primary care medicine: Office evaluation and management of the adult patient, by Allan H.Goroll,Albe G.Mulley, Page 989.