Congenital syphilis as a clinical and histopathologic mimic of neonatal lupus

Disorders in Children

Pediatric dermatoses can present at birth or develop over time. When managing dermatology conditions in children, caregiver involvement is important. Patients may have lesions that need to be monitored or need assistance with therapeutic administration. The following section provides a subset of pediatric dermatoses and notable points for presentation in skin of color patients. Providers need to be able to recognize dermatology conditions in patients of varying skin tones and provide therapies that address the condition and any associated pigmentary alterations.

A Case of Congenital Syphilis-Focus on Histopathology and Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Although a rare disease, the incidence of congenital syphilis is on the rise in the US. We report a case of early congenital syphilis in a 1-day-old premature boy with positive Rapid plasma reagin titer, respiratory insufficiency, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and encephalopathy, born to a mother with known syphilis infection. Skin examination showed diffuse truncal petechiae, desquamation of the distal extremities, and violaceous, retiform plaques on the buttocks and lower extremities. A biopsy was performed to rule out an infectious etiology or vasculitis. Histopathologic examination revealed irregular epidermal acanthosis with orthokeratosis and parakeratosis. There were foci of neutrophilic infiltrate forming rare pustules within the stratum corneum and focal intraepidermal eosinophils, neutrophils, and rare dyskeratotic keratinocytes. In the dermis, there was some minimal endothelial swelling with a perivascular, interstitial, and periadnexal infiltrate of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and rare plasma cells. A Treponema pallidum immunostain highlighted spirochetes present within the epidermis and within the eccrine ducts. Penicillin G therapy was administered for 10 days. The infant's Rapid plasma reagin titer trended downward until it was negative 6 months after birth. Literature review reveals 8 case reports within the last 20 years describing the histopathology of rashes in congenital syphilis. Herein we summarize the reported histopathology of rashes in congenital syphilis and compare it to the histopathology of rashes in secondary syphilis in adults.

Congenital syphilis in a 4-month-old infant with limb weakness

We describe a rare case of a 4-month-old girl presenting with a several month history of reduced movement to the left arm accompanied by a maculopapular rash to the limbs. X-ray findings included inflammatory periosteal changes to the radius and ulna. Treponema pallidum IgM was detected in both baby and mother, and a diagnosis of congenital syphilis was made. This case is an interesting clinical picture with a variety of important differential diagnoses, including non-accidental injury, malignancy, autoimmune disease and other congenital infections. With an increasing rate of congenital syphilis infection in the developed world, it is vital that clinicians are able to recognise symptoms to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. In this respect, we can attempt to avoid the chronic and potentially life-threatening complications of untreated infection.