Anetoderma due to secondary syphilis: Report of two cases and discussion of the histopathological findings

Int J STD AIDS. 2017 Dec;28(14):1456-1460. doi: 10.1177/0956462417713586. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Abstract

Anetoderma is a rare benign condition of diverse etiology whose characteristic is the diminution or absence of the dermal elastic fibers. Classified as primary and secondary, the latter associated with tumors, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Although the etiology of the lesions is well described in literature, the pathogenesis is still poorly determined. Anetoderma in syphilis is rare, and occurs even in the most uncommon cutaneous manifestations of the disease, such as the nodular form. In order to better understand the changes that lead to elastolysis, we propose a better correlation with the histopathological findings of the lesions that precede it. We present two cases of anetoderma secondary to syphilis, whose clinical aspects resembled the pattern of their initial secondary syphilis rash.

Keywords: Bacterial disease; anetoderma; syphilis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anetoderma / diagnosis
  • Anetoderma / drug therapy*
  • Anetoderma / etiology*
  • Anetoderma / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Elastic Tissue / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Penicillin G Benzathine / adverse effects
  • Penicillin G Benzathine / therapeutic use*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases
  • Syphilis / complications*
  • Syphilis / pathology
  • Therapeutics

Substances

  • Penicillin G Benzathine

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, secondary