Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
05:12
Portable Thermographic Screening for Detection of Acute Wallenberg's Syndrome
Published on: September 19, 2019
7.0K
Neurosyphilis presenting with a stroke-like syndrome
Tarig Mohammed Abkur1, Gasim Salaheldin Ahmed1, Nidal Osman Alfaki1
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
BMJ Case Reports
|March 6, 2015
Summary
Neurosyphilis, a central nervous system infection by Treponema pallidum, can cause diverse neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis and penicillin treatment led to a full recovery in a patient presenting with cognitive and motor deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Neurosyphilis is a serious complication of syphilis infection involving the central nervous system (CNS).
- It can manifest with a wide range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms, often mimicking other conditions.
- Immunocompromised individuals may be at higher risk for developing neurosyphilis.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old man presented with mixed dysphasia, right upper motor neuron facial palsy, and right hemiparesis.
- Family history indicated slowly progressive cognitive impairment and behavioral changes.
- Initial neuroimaging was unremarkable, suggesting a non-vascular cause.
Findings:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a positive rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, confirming neurosyphilis.
- The diagnosis was established despite non-specific initial findings.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering neurosyphilis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained neurological and cognitive deficits.
- Prompt diagnosis via CSF analysis and appropriate treatment with benzylpenicillin can lead to complete neurological recovery.
- Raising awareness among clinicians about the diverse presentations of neurosyphilis is crucial for timely intervention.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
46
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
46
01:18Viral Meningitis
156
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
156
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
869
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
869
01:28Diphtheria
144
Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
144
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
2.5K
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is...
2.5K
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
1.8K
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
1.8K