Early congenital syphilis in a premature newborn: typical cutaneous manifestations in atypical skin areas

The worldwide re-emergence of secondary syphilis which happened in the last decade, has led to an increase in primary and secondary syphilis cases, along with the presentation of atypical forms. Nevertheless, reports of renal syphilis with mucosal and/or cutaneous manifestations are nowadays increasing. Typically, secondary syphilis infection in adults causes nephrotic syndrome due to a membranous glomerulonephritis. Here, we report a case of a 30-year-old immunocompetent man presenting with skin rash, oral and perianal erosions and nephritic syndrome. Laboratory investigations revealed a form of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis secondary to Treponema pallidum infection. Therapy with benzathine penicillin brought prompt and complete remission of the disease. Although well described for congenital syphilis, this histopathologic pattern of renal involvement is very rarely reported in adult patients. In case of detection of an otherwise unexplained nephritic syndrome in sexually active patients with mucosal and/or anal lesions, an unrecognized syphilis infection should be suspected.

Download Full-text

A Premature Newborn with Congenital Syphilis

Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine ◽

10.12701/yujm.2007.24.2.333 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 333

Author(s):

In Ok Hwang ◽

Eun Sil Lee

Keyword(s):

Congenital Syphilis ◽

Premature Newborn

Download Full-text

A Case of Congenital Syphilis Presenting with Unusual Skin Eruptions

Case Reports in Pediatrics ◽

10.1155/2018/1761454 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Alexander K. C. Leung ◽

Kin Fon Leong ◽

Joseph M. Lam

Keyword(s):

Rare Disease ◽

Congenital Syphilis ◽

Male Infant ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Cutaneous Manifestations ◽

Atypical Presentations ◽

Hands And Feet

Once believed to be a rare disease in developed countries, recent data suggest that there is a surge in incidence of congenital syphilis in many developed countries. Diagnosis of congenital syphilis can be difficult because more than two-thirds of affected infants are asymptomatic at birth, and signs of symptomatic infants may be nonspecific or subtle. On top of this, some affected infants may have atypical presentations. Familiarity with the diverse presentations is essential to diagnosis. We report a 2-week-old male infant with congenital syphilis whose cutaneous manifestations included diffuse, erythematous keratoderma with desquamation and fissures on his hands and feet, multiple linear scaly fissures at the angles of his mouth, and onychauxis of the fingernails and toenails To our knowledge, diffuse, erythematous keratoderma of the hands and feet and thick nails have not been reported previously in congenital syphilis.

Download Full-text

Syphilitic pemphigus

Journal of Clinical Medical and Experimental Images ◽

10.29328/journal.jcmei.1001016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 003-003

Author(s):

Piñeres Elvis ◽

Ospina Carlos

Keyword(s):

Congenital Syphilis ◽

Positive Test ◽

Rapid Plasma Reagin ◽

Marijuana User ◽

Premature Newborn ◽

Newborn Child ◽

Receive Treatment

A 34-week premature newborn, child of a mother without prenatal controls, a marijuana user, with gestational syphilis with a positive rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) titer 1:16, did not receive treatment during pregnancy. The newborn presented congenital syphilis, RPR titer 1: 256 positive test.

Download Full-text

Congenital Syphilis Presenting with a Generalized Bullous and Pustular Eruption in a Premature Newborn

Annals of Dermatology ◽

10.5021/ad.2011.23.s1.s127 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. S127 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jin Ki Kim ◽

Se Rim Choi ◽

Hee Jung Lee ◽

Dong Hyun Kim ◽

Moon Soo Yoon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Congenital Syphilis ◽

Pustular Eruption ◽

Premature Newborn

Download Full-text

Congenital syphilis: Need for intensification of antenatal screening and clinician awareness

Tropical Doctor ◽

10.1177/00494755211041297 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 004947552110412

Author(s):

Minu P Sunny ◽

C Krishnan ◽

PR Sabeel Abdulla ◽

MG Geeta

Keyword(s):

Congenital Syphilis ◽

Renal Involvement ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Delayed Diagnosis ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Antenatal Screening ◽

Cutaneous Manifestations ◽

Direct Invasion ◽

Complex Deposition ◽

Maternal Syphilis

Congenital syphilis occurs due to trans-placental transmission of Treponema pallidum or rarely, intrapartum contact with infectious lesions. Even though preventable, congenital syphilis occurs sporadically in India, owing to lack of antenatal screening as well as the lack of awareness among clinicians about the burden of syphilis in the community. Since a significant overlap of clinical manifestations exists with many systemic diseases, awareness among clinicians is crucial for an early diagnosis. Renomegaly, nephrotic syndrome and nephritis can all be the signs of renal involvement in congenital syphilis, which can provide clues of the diagnosis. Direct invasion by spirochetes, hypersensitivity reactions and immune complex deposition in glomeruli contribute to the pathogenesis. We report a case of congenital syphilis characterised by delayed diagnosis with renal as well as cutaneous manifestations from missed maternal syphilis during the antenatal period and owing to the lack of antenatal screening.

Download Full-text