A Case of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Caused by Neurosyphilis in Patient Who Is Treated by Anti-Interleukin 17A Monoclonal Antibody

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by <i>Treponema pallidum</i>, which can invade various organs. Syphilis can also cause otologic symptoms such as hearing impairment, tinnitus or dizziness and these otologic symptoms can occur at any stage of syphilis and can be associated with neurosyphilis. We report here a case of rapid progressive neurosyphilis showing hearing impairment in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. He was treated with anti-interleukin 17A monoclonal antibody. Since syphilis is one of the causes of reversible sensorineural hearing loss and syphilis infection with immunosuppression can cause progressive hearing loss if patients in immunomodulatory therapy have sensorineural hearing loss, the possibility of syphilis should be considered.