Profile of the tprK gene in primary syphilis patients based on next-generation sequencing. Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum

The highly variable tprK gene of Treponema pallidum has been acknowledged to beone of mechanisms to cause syphilis persistent infection. The intensive studies on the heterogeneity of tprK, especially in the context of human infection, would contribute to a deep understanding of the pathogenesis of syphilis.