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Secondary Syphilis with Pulmonary Involvement
Azusa Ohta1,2, Norihiro Furusyo3, Yasuhiro Kishihara2
1Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu Central Hospital, Japan.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Secondary syphilis can manifest with lung nodules, a rare presentation. This case highlights the importance of considering syphilis in patients with chest pain and skin rash, even with pulmonary findings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Secondary syphilis is a systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum.
- Pulmonary involvement in secondary syphilis is uncommon but can mimic other lung diseases.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old Japanese man presented with chest pain and a rash on his hands and feet.
- Thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple nodular shadows in the left lower lung lobe.
- The patient developed a rash on his forearms, attributed to amoxicillin treatment.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of secondary syphilis was confirmed by clinical presentation and positive serologic tests.
- Treatment with minocycline led to the contraction of lung nodular shadows over five months.
- The case confirmed secondary syphilis with significant pulmonary involvement.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diverse clinical manifestations of secondary syphilis.
- It emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for syphilis in patients with unexplained pulmonary nodules and dermatological symptoms.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for resolving pulmonary lesions and preventing complications.
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