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Author Spotlight: Advancing Syphilis Research — Innovations in Treponema pallidum Cultivation and Genetic Engineering
Published on: January 24, 2025
A Young Boy with Persistent Nodules and Hoarseness: A Rare Presentation of Nodular Secondary Syphilis
Rabia Ghafoor1, Muhammad Irfan Anwar2
1Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi.
Abstract:
Syphilis is a venereal disease caused by treponema pallidum, historically known as "great mimicker" because of its variable presentations. Secondary syphilis usually presents with maculopapular or papulosquamous rash. Rare manifestations include papulonodular, annular and lichenoid lesions. Nodules are usually found in benign tertiary syphilis. We present a case of a young boy who presented with five months' history of nodular skin lesions and hoarseness of voice. Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) was initially negative owing to prozone phenomenon. However, histopathology was confirmatory and he responded to benzathine penicillin. We present this case because of rare clinical presentation with persistent nodular lesions, unusual age group, and negative initial VDRL test.
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