DOI: 10.12890/2024_004578

Syphilis should not be overlooked in any individual, irrespective of their condition

Authors

  • Oriane Cellier Internal Medicine Resident, Paris-Est Créteil Université, Paris, France
  • Juliette Jourdan Infectious Disease Department, Raymond-Poincaré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Saclay University, Garches, France
  • Lotfi Dahmane Infectious Disease Department, Raymond-Poincaré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Saclay University, Garches, France
  • Véronique Perronne Infectious Disease Department, Raymond-Poincaré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Saclay University, Garches, France
  • Aurélien Dinh Infectious Disease Department, Raymond-Poincaré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Saclay University, Garches, France; Université Versailles Saint Quentin Paris Saclay, Versailles, France
  • Karim Jaffal Infectious Disease Department, Raymond-Poincaré University Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Saclay University, Garches, France

orianecellier@hotmail.fr

Keywords

Neurosyphilis, tetraparetic, sexually transmitted infection, roseoliform exanthema, meningoradiculitis

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis remains a significant challenge in public health, largely because of its diverse clinical manifestations, often resulting in underdiagnosis especially among patients with neurogenic disability.
Case description: We present a case of neurosyphilis in a 63-year-old patient with a spinal cord injury. Despite syphilis being a well-established sexually transmitted infection, the exacerbation of neurological and dermatological symptoms during physical examination prompted an investigation into alternative causes beyond the patient’s pre-existing paraparesis, ultimately resulting in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis.
Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering syphilis as a potential diagnosis in individuals regardless of their medical history.

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Published

2024-08-05

How to Cite

1.
Cellier O, Jourdan J, Dahmane L, Perronne V, Dinh A, Jaffal K. Syphilis should not be overlooked in any individual, irrespective of their condition. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2024 Aug. 5 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];11(9). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/4578