Ingrid M Daey Ouwens1,2, Alewijn Ott3, Aernoud Fiolet4, Peter J Koehler5, Martin Vos6, J Marja Oldhoff6, Willem M A Verhoeven1,2. 1. Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, The Netherlands. 2. Erasmus University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 3. Certe, Department of Medical Microbiology, Groningen, The Netherlands. 4. University Medical Centre Utrecht, Department of Epidemiology, The Netherlands. 5. Zuyderland Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands. 6. University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The worldwide increase in the incidence of syphilis necessitates alertness to the occurrence of neurosyphilis. Early recognition of neurosyphilis allows for timely treatment, leading to a better treatment outcome. This retrospective study aims to describe the clinical presentation of neurosyphilis in a recent series of neurosyphilis patients. METHOD: All patients were included with a new, laboratory confirmed, diagnosis of neurosyphilis in the period 2004-2018. The clinical data were analysed. RESULTS: 34 neurosyphilis patients (1 woman and 33 men) were identified. Age varied from 31-84 years (median age: 44 years). A history of syphilis infection was known for 11 (32%) patients; 12 (35%) patients were HIV seropositive. The distribution of the clinical syndromes was as follows: 16 patients with early neurosyphilis (acute meningitis, meningovasculitis and/or uveitis), 9 patients with late neurosyphilis (General Paralysis of the Insane and/or Tabes Dorsalis), 2 patients with symptoms of both early and late neurosyphilis, 6 patients with asymptomatic neurosyphilis and in 1 patient insufficient data were available to determine a clinical syndrome. Early neurosyphilis was seen in all age categories, late neurosyphilis only occurred in patients > 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosyphilis occurs in adults in all age groups, in men more frequent than in women, often in HIV-infected patients, and can present with a wide range of clinical syndromes. Usually no previous infection with syphilis is known.
OBJECTIVE: The worldwide increase in the incidence of syphilis necessitates alertness to the occurrence of neurosyphilis. Early recognition of neurosyphilis allows for timely treatment, leading to a better treatment outcome. This retrospective study aims to describe the clinical presentation of neurosyphilis in a recent series of neurosyphilis patients. METHOD: All patients were included with a new, laboratory confirmed, diagnosis of neurosyphilis in the period 2004-2018. The clinical data were analysed. RESULTS: 34 neurosyphilis patients (1 woman and 33 men) were identified. Age varied from 31-84 years (median age: 44 years). A history of syphilis infection was known for 11 (32%) patients; 12 (35%) patients were HIV seropositive. The distribution of the clinical syndromes was as follows: 16 patients with early neurosyphilis (acute meningitis, meningovasculitis and/or uveitis), 9 patients with late neurosyphilis (General Paralysis of the Insane and/or Tabes Dorsalis), 2 patients with symptoms of both early and late neurosyphilis, 6 patients with asymptomatic neurosyphilis and in 1 patient insufficient data were available to determine a clinical syndrome. Early neurosyphilis was seen in all age categories, late neurosyphilis only occurred in patients > 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosyphilis occurs in adults in all age groups, in men more frequent than in women, often in HIV-infected patients, and can present with a wide range of clinical syndromes. Usually no previous infection with syphilis is known.
Authors: C H Mitsonis; E Kararizou; N Dimopoulos; N Triantafyllou; E Kapaki; P Mitropoulos; K Sfagos; D Vassilopoulos Journal: Int J Neurosci Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 2.292
Authors: M Janier; V Hegyi; N Dupin; M Unemo; G S Tiplica; M Potočnik; P French; R Patel Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2014-10-27 Impact factor: 6.166
Authors: Ingrid M Daey Ouwens; Femke D H Koedijk; Aernoud T L Fiolet; Maaike G van Veen; Kees C van den Wijngaard; Willem M A Verhoeven; Jos I M Egger; Marianne A B van der Sande Journal: Acta Neuropsychiatr Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 3.403
Authors: F Drago; G Merlo; G Ciccarese; A F Agnoletti; E Cozzani; A Rebora; A Parodi Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2016-06-15 Impact factor: 6.166