Syphilis as the cause of disseminated ulcerated crusted skin lesions in an immunosuppressed patient

Authors

  • Fernando Augusto Toscan Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo - SP - Brasil
  • Giuliane Bogoni Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo - SP - Brasil.
  • Angela Naomi Atomiya Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo - SP - Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e202205011

Keywords:

Syphilis, Cutaneous, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Warts, Case Report

Abstract

Individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher risk of co-infection with syphilis, and may have a different course of evolution from those who are seronegative, sometimes faster and more aggressively. The manifestation of secondary syphilis is proportionately more prevalent, with malignant syphilis (MS) being a rare form of this stage of the disease, but with a significant increase in the number of cases after the AIDS epidemic. MS presents with pleomorphic lesions, classically described as disseminated ulcero-nodular lesions, accompanied by more intense constitutional symptoms. This report describes the case of a female patient whose diagnosis of HIV was simultaneously established with that of recent syphilis, which occurred during the investigation of disseminated, ulcerated and crusted skin lesions, sometimes with a rupioid appearance. The diagnosis of secondary syphilis was established in association with asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Despite the clinical and laboratory criteria compatible with the diagnosis of MS, the infrequent cutaneous presentation deserved the differential diagnoses grouped as a verrucous syndrome, especially sporotrichosis.

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Published

2022-08-22

How to Cite

Toscan, F. A., Bogoni, G., & Atomiya, A. N. (2022). Syphilis as the cause of disseminated ulcerated crusted skin lesions in an immunosuppressed patient. Infections in Evidence, 1. https://doi.org/10.5935/2764-734X.e202205011

Issue

Vol. 1 (2022)

Section

Case Reports

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