Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2012 | Case report
Chancre of the eyelid as manifestation of primary syphilis, and precocious chorioretinitis and uveitis in an HIV-infected patient: a case report
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2012
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Background
Ocular syphilis is often difficult to diagnose because of the wide variation in clinical features.
HIV co-infection may further complicate the picture.
Case presentation
Herein the authors report an unusual primary syphilitic ocular lesion in a 45-year-old Italian HIV-infected bisexual man who presented with a unilateral eyelid lesion. Associated precocious signs and symptoms in the posterior segment of both eyes, bilateral chorioretinitis and uveitis, are described. Intravenous penicillin and steroid treatment produced a rapid improvement in clinical status and complete resolution.
Conclusions
Careful questioning about sexual behavior is crucial for unmasking unusual features of ocular syphilis in HIV-infected subjects.