Secondary pulmonary syphilis: report of a likely case and literature review

Clin Infect Dis. 2006 Feb 1;42(3):e11-5. doi: 10.1086/499104. Epub 2005 Dec 21.

Abstract

We report the case of a homosexual, HIV-positive man with typical secondary syphilis and multiple excavated pulmonary subpleural nodules. Syphilis with direct pulmonary involvement was suggested by a positive result of PCR of a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimen, then confirmed by a positive therapeutic test result. Only 9 reports of pulmonary involvement in secondary syphilis have been reported to date in the English-language literature. Clinicians should be aware of this atypical localization of syphilis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / pathology
  • Syphilis / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Syphilis / etiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillin G