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A Peculiar Presentation of Syphilis as a Mysterious Rash: A Dermatological Dilemma
Priscila Lopez1, Ifeoma Kwentoh2,1, Mario Valdez Imbert1
1Internal Medicine, Harlem Hospital Center, New York, USA.
Cureus
|September 18, 2023
Summary
Malignant syphilis, a rare skin condition, can present with varied rashes. This case highlights successful doxycycline treatment in a patient with penicillin allergy, improving symptoms of this stigmatizing diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, has a long history of stigma.
- Malignant syphilis is a rare, severe variant of secondary syphilis.
- This manifestation is often linked to HIV infection and low CD4 cell counts.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old woman presented with a week of diverse skin eruptions.
- Laboratory tests confirmed Treponema pallidum infection with a positive Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test (1:16).
Findings:
- The patient received doxycycline due to a history of penicillin anaphylaxis.
- She experienced significant symptom improvement, indicating successful treatment.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates effective management of malignant syphilis in a penicillin-allergic patient.
- Highlights the importance of considering syphilis in patients with unusual skin manifestations.
- Successful treatment can mitigate the disabling effects of this rare diagnosis.
Keywords:
#cutaneous syphilis#hiv aids#hiv-hcv co-infection#kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (kshv)#monkey pox virus rash#sexually transmitted infection (sti)More Related Videos
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