[Syphilitic aortitis. Experience of an internal medicine unit]

Rev Med Interne. 2006 Jan;27(1):16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2005.10.016. Epub 2005 Dec 1.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious aortitis remains a rare disease. It is characterized by an endarteritis of infectious origin generally followed by the development of a so called mycotic aneurysm. Those infectious aneurysms account for 0.5 to 1.3% of all aortic aneurysms. Of the infectious agents, Treponema pallidum has a particular place. Cardiovascular syphilitic infection was very common at the beginning of the XX(th) century with a prevalence of 6.9% of all autopsies. In 1950-1960, the prevalence had decreased to less than 1%. Since 1990, syphilis was considered as disappeared.

Exegesis: we report syphilitic aortitis in four patients. Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are detailed.

Conclusion: A syphilitic infection of the aorta should be looked for in every patient suffering from an inflammatory or infectious disease of aorta.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm / etiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • France
  • Hospital Units*
  • Humans
  • Internal Medicine*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Syphilis, Cardiovascular / complications
  • Syphilis, Cardiovascular / therapy*