Secondary syphilis initially diagnosed from oral lesions. Report of three cases

Three cases of secondary syphilis presenting as painful oral lesions without evidence of systemic disease are reported. In each case the oral lesions led to the diagnosis of secondary syphilis. While two of the cases had well-defined grayish white oral lesions with occasional serpentine or crescent-like configuration, the third case presented extensive oral erosive lesions with hitherto undescribed painful fissures of the tongue. The significance of oral lesions and the dentist's role in their detection are discussed.