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Infection
Published in: Infection 2/2015

01-04-2015 | Case Report

Malignant syphilis in an AIDS patient

Authors: T. R. dos Santos, I. J. de Castro, M. M. B. Dahia, M. C. V. M. de Azevedo, G. A. R. da Silva, R. N. Motta, J. da Cunha Pinto, F. R. de Almeida Ferry

Published in: Infection | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

Malignant syphilis is an uncommon, but not unknown, ulcerative variation of secondary syphilis. The lesions typically begin as papules, which quickly evolve to pustules and then to ulcers with elevated edges and central necrosis. It is usually, but not mandatory, found in patients with some level of immunosuppression, such as HIV patients, when the TCD4+ cell count is >200 cells/mm3. Despite the anxiety the lesions cause, this form of the disease has a good prognosis. The general symptoms disappear right after the beginning of treatment, and lesions disappear over a variable period. This study reports the case of a 27-year-old man who has been HIV positive for 6 years, uses antiretroviral therapy incorrectly, has a TCD4+ cell count of 340 cells/mm3, a VDRL of 1:128 and itchy disseminated hyperchromic maculopapular lesions with rupioid crusts compatible with malignant syphilis.
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Metadata
Title
Malignant syphilis in an AIDS patient
Authors
T. R. dos Santos
I. J. de Castro
M. M. B. Dahia
M. C. V. M. de Azevedo
G. A. R. da Silva
R. N. Motta
J. da Cunha Pinto
F. R. de Almeida Ferry
Publication date
01-04-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Infection / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0300-8126
Electronic ISSN: 1439-0973
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-014-0698-x

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