Papulosquamous secondary syphilis with palmoplantar sparing: A case illustrated

Secondary syphilis is a clinical mimic with considerable morphological variability. We describe a man in his early 50s with a generalised papulosquamous eruption, constitutional symptoms and generalised lymphadenopathy, notably without palmoplantar involvement. Syphilis serology was strongly reactive, and histopathology demonstrated a plasma cell-rich superficial and deep perivascular and peri-adnexal infiltrate. This case illustrates the importance of considering secondary syphilis in generalised papulosquamous eruptions despite the absence of classical palmoplantar lesions.