Related Experiment Videos
Malignant syphilis (lues maligna) and concurrent infection with HIV
P C Don1, R Rubinstein, S Christie
1Department of Dermatology, New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital Center, NY 10029, USA.
International Journal of Dermatology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Lues maligna, a severe form of secondary syphilis, disproportionately affects patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Early diagnosis and penicillin treatment are crucial for managing this aggressive syphilis manifestation in HIV-positive individuals.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Syphilology
Background:
- Reports on lues maligna, a rare secondary syphilis manifestation, are infrequent.
- This study focuses on six patients presenting with reactive syphilis serology and significant skin lesions.
Observation:
- Four patients developed noduloulcerative lesions, while two presented with vesiculonecrotic lesions.
- Five of the six patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Findings:
- Skin biopsies confirmed secondary syphilis and excluded viral etiologies like varicella-zoster or herpes simplex.
- Lues maligna exhibited an aggressive course in HIV-infected patients, necessitating hospitalization for four individuals.
Implications:
- HIV-infected patients are at increased risk for developing lues maligna.
- Despite its severity, lues maligna responds well to penicillin treatment.
- Secondary syphilis should be recognized as a potentially more aggressive condition in HIV-positive individuals.