Multilocus sequence typing of Treponema pallidum pallidum in children with acquired syphilis by nonsexual contact

There are scarce data of subsp. (TPA) characterization in children with syphilis. Nonsexually acquired transmission (NSAT) of TPA is possible in infants through close contact. A descriptive study in five families with NSAT of syphilis was conducted. Polymerase chain reaction detection of TPA in pediatric index cases (n = 6) and their relatives (n = 44) were conducted followed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). TPA was detected in swab samples in 16 cases and 12 were characterized by MLST. Nichols lineage was identified in two of five families and SS14-lineage in three of five. In four families, MLST profiles linked index cases to relatives. This is the first report of TPA characterization in children infected by NSAT.