Treponemal infections occurring in humans comprise venereal syphilis and the non-venereal endemic treponematoses. The non-venereal endemic treponematoses are yaws, pinta, and endemic syphilis. Pinta, also known as mal del pinto or carate, is the most benign of the endemic treponematoses since it affects only the skin. This mild disease is characterized solely by alterations in skin color. Pinta is still prevalent in remote rural regions in tropical Central and South America.
