Uveitis: A presenting sign of both secondary syphilis and HIV Infection
- Author:
Choon SE
;
Lee CK
;
Loh SS
;
Tey KE
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology
2007;19(-):113-115
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Uveitis is a well-documented presentation of syphilis with
or without concomitant HIV infection1,2. Syphilitic uveitis
occurs most frequently during secondary and tertiary phases
of the infection and its prevalence has declined in tandem
with the decline in syphilis prevalence during the early
phase of the HIV epidemic. However, during the past 5
years, there has been a resurgence of syphilis and an
increased number of patients with ocular syphilis has been
reported3,4. Early diagnosis of ocular syphilis which is highly
amenable to simple antibiotic treatment can prevent
blindness. Unfortunately, the ocular manifestations of
syphilis are indistinguishable from that of other causes.
Hence, a high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose
syphilitic uveitis. Awareness and recognition of concurrent
syphilitic skin involvement, often mistaken for psoriasis, can
aid in the diagnosis. We describe a patient whose ocular
syphilis was diagnosed and treated promptly because of the
presence of a palmoplantar rash.
