Challenges in the Diagnosis of Tertiary Syphilis: Case Report with Literature Review

Abstract

Tertiary syphilis is a large diagnostic challenge. It is rarely the case that it affects the skin, bone tissue and the eyes at the same time. The presented case shows that extensive symptomatology of syphilis poses a challenge in making a proper diagnosis in patients whose history does not suspect STDs. The study aims to present the case of a young woman hospitalized with a suspected autoimmune disease, diagnosed with symptomatic late syphilis with involvement of the skin, bones and eyes.

Through the Eyes: A Case of Ocular Syphilis

“…However, a slower serologic response to treatment is often expected in patients with neurosyphilis [15]. Syphilis progresses very rapidly; therefore, clinicians should be aware of ocular syphilis and screen for visual complaints in patients at risk for syphilis, such as persons with multiple sexual partners, men who have sex with men, and HIV-infected persons [16]. Safe sex practices, such as consistent condom use during intercourse, have been shown to decrease the likelihood of sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis [17].…”

Sífilis: compreensão e manejo das manifestações orais

“…Os pacientes podem apresentar aneurisma da aorta ascendente, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (NEVILLE et al, 2016). Jankowska et al (2022) relataram um caso de uma paciente com lesão na área escapular direita, tratada com ciclosporina. As primeiras lesões cutâneas apareceram 9 meses antes, quando percebeu uma pápula eritematosa na escápula direita que se expandiu e ulcerou, com um nódulo espessado ao centro.…”