[Tertiary syphilis diagnosed in a psychiatric unit in Buenos Aires, XXI century]

Vertex. 2012 Nov-Dec;23(106):405-8.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

It is a common belief that syphilis, since its effective treatment, is eradicated. However, because of failure prevention and control it is still present. Therefore, we describe what happened in our service with a young patient who was admitted with a presumptive diagnosis of delusional syndrome with a history of multiple symptoms and signs that led him to wander around different specialties in many hospitals. Semiology led us to think of neurosyphilis which was confirmed by laboratory tests on blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Due was then applied in addition to psychiatric treatment for syphilis, but despite this, the patient had a torpid evolution given the lateness of his picture. In this paper we wish to make a warning to doctors about the need to consider when framing neurosyphilis differential diagnosis and thus avoid the progression of the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Argentina
  • Hospital Units
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatry
  • Syphilis / diagnosis*

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, tertiary