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Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology
Published in: Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology 5/2011

01-09-2011 | Clinical Investigation

Posterior syphilitic uveitis: clinical characteristics, co-infection with HIV, response to treatment

Authors: Sing Your Li, Andrea D. Birnbaum, Howard H. Tessler, Debra A. Goldstein

Published in: Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

Purpose

To describe the characteristics and clinical course of patients with active posterior syphilitic uveitis evaluated between 1991 and 2009.

Methods

Retrospective chart review.

Results

Thirteen patients with active posterior syphilitic uveitis were identified at a single institution. All were men, and all with available data were men having sex with men (MSM). Ten of 12 (83%) with available data were HIV positive. Four (31%) had a history of syphilis. Clinical findings included infiltrative retinitis, necrotizing retinitis and optic neuritis. Two of 8 patients tested (25%) had a positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test in the cerebrospinal fluid. Treatments included intravenous penicillin, intramuscular penicillin and intramuscular ceftriaxone. All treated cases improved and, in some cases, inflammatory lesions completely resolved without scarring.

Conclusions

In this series, syphilitic posterior uveitis presented only in men, and all with available data were MSM. The majority were concomitantly infected with HIV. Clinical presentations varied and all patients demonstrated either significant improvement or complete resolution of inflammation.
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Metadata
Title
Posterior syphilitic uveitis: clinical characteristics, co-infection with HIV, response to treatment
Authors
Sing Your Li
Andrea D. Birnbaum
Howard H. Tessler
Debra A. Goldstein
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0021-5155
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-011-0053-z

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