Case of secondary syphilis presenting with unusual complications: syphilitic proctitis, gastritis, and hepatitis

J Clin Microbiol. 2011 Dec;49(12):4394-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01240-11. Epub 2011 Oct 12.

Abstract

We report the first known case of syphilis with simultaneous manifestations of proctitis, gastritis, and hepatitis. The diagnosis of syphilitic proctitis and gastritis was established by the demonstration of spirochetes with anti-Treponema pallidum antibody staining in biopsy specimens. Unusual manifestations of secondary syphilis completely resolved after 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Biopsy
  • Gastritis / diagnosis*
  • Gastritis / drug therapy
  • Gastritis / etiology
  • Gastritis / pathology
  • Hepatitis / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis / etiology
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy
  • Proctitis / diagnosis*
  • Proctitis / drug therapy
  • Proctitis / etiology
  • Proctitis / pathology
  • Syphilis / complications*
  • Syphilis / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Syphilis / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, secondary