[Bejel: an unusual cause of stomatitis in the child].

INTRODUCTION: Bejel (endemic syphilis) is usually encountered in children living in intertropical areas, although imported cases have been exceptionally reported in Europe. OBSERVATION: We report on a young girl aged 5 diagnosed in France, who had painless stomatitis and enlarged cervical nodes. Diagnosis of bejel was confirmed by serology, and spirochetes were shown inside mucous patches by biopsy specimen silver staining. Favorable clinical and serological outcome occurred following benzathin-penicillin therapy. Contamination is likely to have occurred in Mali where she had been living for several years, but secondary stage manifestations only appeared in France, where she was living for several months. DISCUSSION: Although rare in France, bejel should not be overlooked in children originating from countries where endemic syphilis has a high prevalence.