Secondary syphilis in an immunocompromised kidney transplant recipient

As an increasing number of patients undergo successful solid organ transplantation, immunocompromised patients are encountered more commonly in the private practice office. Thus the evaluation of such patients should take into consideration the possibility of infection. We report the case of a kidney transplant recipient who took standard immunosuppressive therapy and presented with cutaneous findings of secondary syphilis. Skin biopsy and serologic testing confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated according to current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We present a brief review of the clinical presentation, pathologic findings, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for syphilis.