Related Experiment Videos
Congenital syphilis and necrotizing funisitis
R M Fojaco1, G T Hensley, L Moskowitz
1University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Department of Pathology, FL 33101.
Abstract:
During the past 5 years we encountered 16 cases of necrotizing funisitis, a deeply seated inflammatory process within the matrix of the umbilical cord, and established that all of them were associated with maternal and congenital syphilis. During that time necrotizing funisitis was not found to be associated with any other infection. The relationship was unexpected on the basis of current knowledge of the condition, but we found the older medical literature documents syphilis as the virtually specific cause of deep funisitis with angiophlebitis. Necrotizing funisitis has a characteristic macroscopic appearance, the "barberpole" cord, that permits the presumptive diagnosis of congenital syphilis at the time of birth.
Insights
Necrotizing funisitis, an umbilical cord inflammation, was exclusively linked to syphilis in 16 cases over 5 years. This finding, supported by historical literature, aids in diagnosing congenital syphilis at birth via the "barberpole" cord appearance.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Necrotizing funisitis is a deep inflammatory process affecting the umbilical cord matrix.
- Previous understanding did not strongly associate this condition with specific infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between necrotizing funisitis and infectious agents.
- To determine if necrotizing funisitis can serve as a diagnostic marker for congenital syphilis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 16 cases of necrotizing funisitis over a 5-year period.
- Analysis of associated maternal and congenital infections.
- Comparison with historical medical literature on funisitis and syphilis.
Main Results:
- All 16 identified cases of necrotizing funisitis were associated with maternal and congenital syphilis.
- No other infections were found to be associated with necrotizing funisitis during the study period.
- Historical literature confirms syphilis as a specific cause of deep funisitis with angiophlebitis.
Conclusions:
- Necrotizing funisitis is strongly associated with syphilis, suggesting a specific etiological link.
- The characteristic "barberpole" umbilical cord appearance in necrotizing funisitis can facilitate presumptive diagnosis of congenital syphilis at birth.