Cerebral syphilitic gumma in HIV-infected patients: case report and review

Int J STD AIDS. 2008 Jan;19(1):62-4. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2007.007007.

Abstract

Neurosyphilis presenting as a cerebral gumma is an uncommon event. To date there are seven cases of cerebral gumma reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We describe a HIV-infected patient with neurosyphilis presenting as an expanding central nervous system lesion and unremarkable cerebrospinal fluid analysis. This case report illustrates the clinical and therapeutic aspects of syphilitic gumma in HIV-infected patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / chemistry
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neurosyphilis*
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillin G