Caifeng He1, Qingtao Kong2, Xianjin Shang3, Yuanyuan Duan4, Yong Cui5, Jun Wang6, Chao Ci7, Hong Sang8. 1. Department of Dermatology,Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China; Department of Dermatology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, China. 2. Department of Dermatology,Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China. 3. Department of Neurology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, China. 4. Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China. 5. Department of Dermatology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, China; Department of Dermatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. 6. Department of Dermatology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, China. 7. Department of Dermatology, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, China. Electronic address: cichao8911@126.com. 8. Department of Dermatology,Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China. Electronic address: sanghong@nju.edu.cn.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There are few studies concerning the differences between asymptomatic neurosyphilis (ANS) and symptomatic neurosyphilis (SNS). This study aimed to summarize clinical, laboratory and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) characteristics of HIV-negative patients with ANS and SNS. METHODS: Data from 43 HIV-negative patients with ANS and 59 HIV-negative patients with SNS were retrospectively collected from our hospital between December 2012 and December 2018. RESULTS: Compared with the ANS group, SNS group had more patients that were male, age≥45 years, had brain MRI abnormalities, and exhibited higher serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TRUST titer, CSF WBC count, CSF protein concentration (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that male sex, age ≥45 years and CSF TRUST titer were risk factors for SNS [odds ratio (OR) = 7.946,P = 0.001;OR = 3.757, P = 0.041; OR = 2.713, P = 0.002; respectively]. The brain MRI findings of 78 patients without comorbidities showed that ischemic infarct lesions presented in 17/37 (45.95%) of patients with ANS; infarct ischemic stroke (73.17%) especially multiple cerebral infractions (46.34%), cerebral atrophy (48.78%) were also common presentations in the SNS group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HIV-negative ANS and SNS presented different clinical, laboratory and brain MRI features. Male sex, age ≥45 years and elevated CSF TRUST titer may have an increased risk of developing neurological symptoms. Brain MRI abnormalities may present prior to clinical symptoms. Multiple cerebral infarctions without explained reasons or cerebral atrophy should alert clinicians the possibility of SNS.
INTRODUCTION: There are few studies concerning the differences between asymptomatic neurosyphilis (ANS) and symptomatic neurosyphilis (SNS). This study aimed to summarize clinical, laboratory and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) characteristics of HIV-negative patients with ANS and SNS. METHODS: Data from 43 HIV-negative patients with ANS and 59 HIV-negative patients with SNS were retrospectively collected from our hospital between December 2012 and December 2018. RESULTS: Compared with the ANS group, SNS group had more patients that were male, age≥45 years, had brain MRI abnormalities, and exhibited higher serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TRUST titer, CSF WBC count, CSF protein concentration (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that male sex, age ≥45 years and CSF TRUST titer were risk factors for SNS [odds ratio (OR) = 7.946,P = 0.001;OR = 3.757, P = 0.041; OR = 2.713, P = 0.002; respectively]. The brain MRI findings of 78 patients without comorbidities showed that ischemic infarct lesions presented in 17/37 (45.95%) of patients with ANS; infarct ischemic stroke (73.17%) especially multiple cerebral infractions (46.34%), cerebral atrophy (48.78%) were also common presentations in the SNS group. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with HIV-negative ANS and SNS presented different clinical, laboratory and brain MRI features. Male sex, age ≥45 years and elevated CSF TRUST titer may have an increased risk of developing neurological symptoms. Brain MRI abnormalities may present prior to clinical symptoms. Multiple cerebral infarctions without explained reasons or cerebral atrophy should alert clinicians the possibility of SNS.