Genetic diversity in Treponema pallidum: Implications for pathogenesis, evolution and molecular diagnostics of syphilis and yaws

► We reviewed genetic diversity in pathogenic uncultivable treponemes. ► Genes involved in human infectivity and treponemal invasivity were discussed. ► Variability within syphilis strains was considered in the light of molecular epidemiology. ► Treponemal evolution was confronted with genetic data.