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Author Spotlight: Advancing Syphilis Research — Innovations in Treponema pallidum Cultivation and Genetic Engineering
Published on: January 24, 2025
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Treponema Pallidum: A Forgotten Pathogen With Major Cardiovascular Consequence
Sami J Natour1, Soniya V Rabadia1, Daniel P Stefanko2
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
JACC. Case Reports
|December 2, 2024
Summary
Syphilis incidence is rising. A case highlights tertiary syphilis as a cause of aortic aneurysm and regurgitation, emphasizing its importance in diagnosing aortopathy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- The incidence of syphilis has significantly increased globally over the past two decades.
- Aortopathy, including aortic aneurysms and regurgitation, can have various etiologies, often presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old patient presented with an aortic aneurysm and symptomatic aortic regurgitation.
- Initial clinical suspicion leaned towards a congenital cause for the patient's cardiovascular condition.
Findings:
- Diagnostic workup ultimately confirmed a syphilitic etiology for the patient's aortopathy.
- This case underscores the potential for tertiary syphilis to manifest as significant cardiovascular pathology.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider tertiary syphilis in the differential diagnosis of aortopathy, especially in the context of rising syphilis rates.
- Early recognition and treatment of syphilitic aortopathy are crucial to prevent severe cardiovascular complications.
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