Secondary Syphilis Presenting as Optic Neuritis in an Immunocompetent Patient: Case Report

Franco Mónica*, Colaço Luisa, Pereira Cristina, Neves Joana and Seldon Raquel

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted, systemic infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum [1]. The incidence of syphilis continues to rise in the USA and Europe, and it is estimated that around 20% of patients with syphilis in the USA also have HIV infection[2-4]. Ocular involvement may be silent or present as anterior uveitis, choroiditis, interstitial keratitis, retinal vasculitis, retinitis, optic neuritis, dacryoadenitis, or scleritis [5-7]. The observation of optic nerve abnormalities in an ophthalmological examination in a patient with syphilis is highly suggestive of central nervous system (CNS) involvement and should be considered synonymous with neurosyphilis [8,9].

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to present a case of optic neuropathy as a manifestation of secondary syphilis in an HIV-negative patient.

Keywords: Syphilis; Optic neuropathy; Immunocompetent; Penicillin

Published on: Jul 26, 2014 Pages: 19-21

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-1414.000005
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