Research Article

A rare case of secondary syphilis presenting with extensive cutaneous nodules and generalised lymphadenopathy

Volume: 12 Number: 1 December 16, 2020
Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi Cover
Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi
PDF Download
TR EN

A rare case of secondary syphilis presenting with extensive cutaneous nodules and generalised lymphadenopathy

Abstract

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is divided into clinical stages including primary, secondary, latent and tertiary syphilis. Secondary syphilis can present with various mucocutaneous lesions and multisystem involvement. Since it can mimic many other diseases, syphilis is known as ‘the great imitator'. However, secondary syphilis with nodular lesions is very rare. Moreover, nodular secondary syphilis can be misdiagnosed as syphilitic nodules of the tertiary stage. Hereby, we report an unusual presentation of secondary syphilis characterized by extensive erythematous nodules and generalised lymphadenopathy in an immunocompetent 39-year-old Caucasian male patient.

Keywords

References

  1. 1. Dave S, Gopinath DV, Thappa DM. Nodular secondary syphilis. Dermatol Online J 2003;9:9.
  2. 2. Magdaleno-Tapial J, Valenzuela-Oñate C, Ortiz-Salvador JM, Hernández-Bel P, Alegre-De Miquel V. Treponema Pallidum epidermotropism in nodular secondary syphilis. Indian J Dermatol 2018;63:509-11.
  3. 3. Hernández-Bel P, López J, Sánchez JL, Alegre V. Nodular secondary syphilis. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2009;100:520-2.
  4. 4. Veasey JV, Lellis RF, Boin MF, Porto PL, Chen JC. Papulonodular secondary syphilis: a rare clinic presentation confirmed by serologic and histologic exams. An Bras Dermatol 2016;91:205-7.
  5. 5. Dupnik KM, Martins MM, Souza AT, Jerônimo SM, Nobre ML. Nodular secondary syphilis simulating lepromatous leprosy. Lepr Rev 2012;83:389-93.
  6. 6. Lee GL, Gru AA, Wong HK, Nagarajan P. Granulomatous syphilis: a pattern to remember. case report and review of literature. Clin Microbial 2015;4:184.
  7. 7. Li F, Wang T, Wang L. Secondary syphilis primarily presenting with multiple nodules on the scalp: case report and published work review. J Dermatol 2017;44:1401-3.
  8. 8. WHO Guidelines for the treatment of Treponema pallidum (Syphilis). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016. 4, Recommendations for treatment of syphilis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK384905/

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Funda Tamer *
Türkiye

Gülşah Akgül
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 16, 2020

Submission Date

April 15, 2019

Acceptance Date

July 25, 2019

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 12 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.831359

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA99HK55PM

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
EndNote
Tamer F, Yüksel ME, Akgül G (December 1, 2020) A rare case of secondary syphilis presenting with extensive cutaneous nodules and generalised lymphadenopathy. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 12 1 159–162.