Neuroretinitis in secondary syphilis

Abstract

A 30-year-old man with bilateral neuroretinitis and uveitis associated with secondary syphilis is described. Characteristic lesions on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet gave us the clue to the diagnosis. Treatment with penicillin resulted in a rapid cure. Syphilic neuroretinitis is often associated with secondary meningitis. Early diagnosis and adequate therapy are important in this serious but treatable condition.

Is Neuroretinitis Associated With Multiple Sclerosis?

“…Neuroretinitis also can occur in association with Bartonella henselae and, less frequently, with B. quintana infections but without clinical evidence of cat-scratch disease (24). Other common infections include syphilis (25)(26)(27)(28) and Lyme disease (29). Patients with toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis, histoplasmosis, and even helminthic infections may develop an acute anterior ON that, in rare cases, is associated with a macular star figure (30)(31)(32)(33)(34).…”