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Case Report: Syphilitic proximal coronary stenosis with discordant serology: diagnostic validation by optical
Jingjie Xiong1,2,3, Ting Gan4, Jing Hu5
1Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Insights
Cardiovascular syphilis diagnosis is challenging, especially with conflicting serology. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identified syphilitic vasculitis in coronary stenosis, guiding treatment when atherosclerosis was absent.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular syphilis, a late manifestation of Treponema pallidum infection, presents diagnostic challenges, particularly with discordant serological tests.
- Non-atherosclerotic coronary artery stenosis requires accurate etiological diagnosis for effective treatment.
- Syphilitic aortitis and coronary involvement can mimic or coexist with atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular syphilis, a late manifestation of Treponema pallidum infection, remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly when serological tests are discordant. We report a case of a 70-year-old male with recurrent chest tightness and discordant syphilis serology (non-reactive RPR, reactive TPPA). Coronary angiography revealed a critical stenosis at the distal left main coronary artery, specifically involving the ostio-proximal segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Critically, the absence of systemic atherosclerosis was evidenced by a coronary artery calcium score of zero and normal carotid intima-media thickness. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provided definitive diagnostic clarity by revealing microstructural features pathognomonic for syphilitic vasculitis: vasa vasorum obliteration, elastic lamina fragmentation, and adventitial fibrosis with microcalcifications. These findings were distinct from atherosclerotic plaque. The patient successfully underwent OCT-guided percutaneous coronary intervention followed by targeted antibiotic therapy. This case highlights the indispensable role of OCT in establishing the etiology of non-atherosclerotic proximal coronary stenosis, underscoring that cardiovascular syphilis must be considered even with non-reactive non-treponemal tests in late-stage disease.
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