The “Great Masquerader" Strikes Again: Secondary Syphilis Presentation with Erythema Multiforme (EM)-Like Lesions
  • Adi Brom
    Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan
  • Idan Goren
    Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan
  • Gad Segal
    Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan

Keywords

Syphilis, erythema multiforme, fever and rash, fever of unknown origin

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease known to present with highly variable manifestations, especially when left untreated. Patients who present to Internal Medicine Departments with fever and a rash are always a diagnostic challenge since mild viral diseases and life-threatening bacterial infections may manifest themselves similarly. In the following case presentation, we describe a patient with 1 month’s duration of fever and rash on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet, in the form of erythema multiforme (EM)-like lesions. His disease was diagnosed as secondary syphilis, once again justifying its name: the “great masquerader".

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    Published: 2014-12-05
    Issue: Vol. 1 (2014) (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Brom A, Goren I, Segal G. The “Great Masquerader" Strikes Again: Secondary Syphilis Presentation with Erythema Multiforme (EM)-Like Lesions. EJCRIM 2014;1 doi:10.12890/2014_000161.