Maculopapular eruptions are frequently described as large areas of rash characterised by red, small, confluent bumps. They are frequently puzzling for the attending clinician due to the multiple possible aetiologies. Accurate diagnosis is important because treatment varies depending on the aetiology, and some rashes can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Common aetiologies implicated include drug allergies, infection-related (for example: viral exanthems, scarlet fever) and autoimmune conditions (for example: Still’s disease). We report a case of maculopapular eruption associated with mucocutaneous involvement and systemic symptoms. The possible differential diagnoses and approach to the management of this patient are discussed.
Syphilis ; Chancre ; HIV ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Objective To analyze the reasons of misdiagnosis of primary syphilitic chancre and strengthen the understanding of atypical features of this disease. Methods A case series of twenty-seven challenging primary syphilis patients who were not immediately recognized as chancre was included in our study. The clinical data including the patients' age, sex, skin lesions, HIV status, syphilis serologic test results, treatment, and follow-up results were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining of skin biopsy sections were reviewed. Results Four female cases with extragenital chancres presenting as erythema or erosive skin lesions on the nipple were misdiagnosed as Paget's disease or eczema. The disorder of missed or misdiagnosed male cases manifested as syphilitic balanitis or multiple chancres on the penis root and adjacent pubis rather than coronal sulcus or frenum. Patients with nonreactive nontreponemal tests at initial presentation were also easily missed or misdiagnosed. Conclusion Primary syphilis presenting as multiple lesions rather than a single chancre, at atypical locations, or with a nonreactive nontreponemal test result, tends to be missed or misdiagnosed.
Chancre/diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nipples ; Skin ; Syphilis/diagnosis*

No abstract available.
Chancre ; Homosexuality

No abstract available.
Chancre* ; Eczema* ; Nipples*

No abstract available.
Chancre ; Lip

Primary syphilis affects the genital and, less frequently, the extragenital regions. Approximately two-thirds of extragenital chancres occur above the neck, and about one-half of these are seen on the lips, the perioral region, or in the oral cavity. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman with a 2-month history of discharging ulcers on both oral angles. She had a history of orogenital sexual contact. Serologic tests for syphilis was positive, particularly the VDRL (1:128), confirmed by TPHA. The biopsy specimen showed a predominant infiltration of plasma cells in the dermis. The skin lesions improved after 4 weeks treatment with doxycycline.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Chancre ; Dermis ; Doxycycline ; Female ; Humans ; Lip ; Mouth ; Neck ; Plasma Cells ; Serologic Tests ; Skin ; Syphilis ; Ulcer

The high signal intensities in bilateral mesiotemporal lobes on T2-weighted images are typical findings of herpes encephalitis or paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. We report a case of neurosyphilis with mesiotemporal involvement on MRI. Positive antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the diagnosis. The results suggest that neurosyphilis should be considered when MRI results indicate mesiotemporal abnormalities.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage ; Biopsy, Needle ; Chancre/diagnosis/pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex/diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Limbic Encephalitis/diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Neurosyphilis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Penicillins/administration & dosage ; Rare Diseases ; Temporal Lobe/*pathology ; Tongue/pathology

Syphilis, a chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum, is usually sexually transmitted and characterized by episodes of active disease interrupted by a latent period. After an incubation period of averaging 2-6 weeks, a primary syphilis with a firm, non-tender chancre appears, often associated with regional lymphadenopathy. Secondary syphilis shows localized or diffuse mucocutaneous lesions and generalized non-tender lymphadenopathy. In about onethird of untreated cases, the tertiary stage appears, characterized by progressive destructive mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal or parenchymal lesions, aortitis or symptomatic central nervous system diseases. Without serological testing, the precise diagnosis is very difficult. In fact, it has often been called the great imitator because it was often confused with other disease. We report a very unusual case of luetic lymphadenitis presented as a solitary submandibular mass.
Aortitis ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; Chancre ; Lymphadenitis ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neck ; Serologic Tests ; Syphilis ; Treponema pallidum

Primary inoculation tuberculosis results from the inoculation of mycobacteria into the skin of a host not previously infected with tuberculosis. Tuberculous chancre and the affected regional lymph nodes constitute the tuberculous primary complex of the skin. A 21-year-old female visited our clinic with an erythematous, ulcerative, indurated plaque on her right upper eyelid. The skin lesion developed 2 months after bilateral upper blepharoplasty. The results of a skin biopsy with acid-fast bacilli staining and polymerase chain reaction were compatible with tuberculosis of the skin. After 9 months of antituberculosis chemotherapy, the skin lesion was improved.
Biopsy ; Blepharoplasty ; Chancre ; Drug Therapy ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin ; Tuberculosis* ; Ulcer ; Young Adult

Syphilis is easily diagnosed by serologic testing or by identification of the causative organism, Treponema pallidum. Syphilis usually presents a distinct painless primary ulcer or chancre. However, the initial clinical impressions of even the most experienced specialist in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), may be wrong 40% of the time. We report a case of atypical primary syphilis that was presented with painful ulceration on the penis and showing negative VDRL results. We amplified the DNA polymerase I gene of Treponema pallidum in the penile ulcer lesion to detect syphilis and got the a successful result. The patient was treated with benzathine penicillin G.
Chancre ; DNA Polymerase I* ; Humans ; Male ; Penicillin G Benzathine ; Penis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Serologic Tests ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Specialization ; Syphilis* ; Treponema pallidum* ; Ulcer