Lues maligna

Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections of the oral mucosa: Types, incidence, predisposing factors, diagnostic algorithms, and management

For millions of years, microbiota residing within us, including those in the oral cavity, coexisted in a harmonious symbiotic fashion that provided a quintessential foundation for human health. It is now clear that disruption of such a healthy relationship leading to microbial dysbiosis causes a wide array of infections, ranging from localized, mild, superficial infections to deep, disseminated life-threatening diseases. With recent advances in research, diagnostics, and improved surveillance we are witnessing an array of emerging and re-emerging oral infections and orofacial manifestations of systemic infections. Orofacial infections may cause significant discomfort to the patients and unnecessary economic burden. Thus, the early recognition of such infections is paramount for holistic patient management, and oral clinicians have a critical role in recognizing, diagnosing, managing, and preventing either new or old orofacial infections. This paper aims to provide an update on current understanding of well-established and emerging viral, bacterial, and fungal infections manifesting in the human oral cavity.

A Systematic Literature Review of Syphilitic Hepatitis in Adults

Syphilitic hepatitis in adults is not frequently found in the population and is easily misdiagnosed. The incidence of viral hepatitis is increasing year by year, concomitantly increasing the importance of obtaining a systematic understanding of the clinical features and treatment strategies for this disease. There is, however, a lack of published definitive data regarding the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and standard treatment options for this disease. Searches were made using the MEDLINE database of PubMed and OVID for syphilitic hepatitis publications from 1951 to 2017 in an attempt to analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics.

Malignant Syphilis in an Immunocompetent Adult Male

The occurrence of malignant syphilis in an immunocompetent individual is rare. We present malignant syphilis in a 35-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with a 1-month history of noduloulcerative lesions on the torso. Examination revealed multiple pustules, nodules, and deep-seated ulcers distributed on the trunk, face, and upper and lower limbs. Characteristic morphology of lesions, positive serological tests for syphilis, characteristic histopathology, and resolution of lesions following institution of penicillin therapy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of malignant syphilis.

Atypical Cutaneous Manifestations in Syphilis

Although the diversity of the clinical manifestations of syphilis is well-known, atypical presentations can also occur. Such atypical presentations are associated with a high risk of transmission as a result of diagnostic confusion and treatment delays owing to the disease's ability to mimic other common skin diseases, deviate from classic clinical presentations, and adopt unique forms. Cases of atypical syphilis have been described most frequently in patients with concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because the incidence of syphilis has been growing over recent years -particularly in patients with HIV co-infection- dermatologists need to be familiar with the less well-known clinical presentations of this venereal disease.

Malignant syphilis in an immunocompetent female patient

Malignant syphilis is an uncommon manifestation of secondary syphilis, in which necrotic lesions may be associated with systemic signs and symptoms. Generally it occurs in an immunosuppressed patient, mainly HIV-infected, but might be observed on those who have normal immune response. Since there is an exponential increase in the number of syphilis cases, more diagnoses of malignant syphilis must be expected. We report a case in an immunocompetent female patient.

Malignant syphilis as the first manifestation of HIV infection

Malignant syphilis is a rare and severe variant of secondary syphilis. It is clinically characterized by large papular, nodular and ulcerative lesions affecting the trunk and the extremities and covered with thick crust. We present a case of 52-year-old homosexual male who developed malignant syphilis and this was the first clinical manifestation of HIV infection. The patient was treated successfully with intravenous aqueous crystalline penicillin G. Physicians should recognize malignant syphilis and consider it in all HIV-infected individuals with ulceronodular skin lesions.

Pathologically confirmed malignant syphilis in an HIV-infected patient

We report a case of pathologically confirmed malignant syphilis in an HIV-infected patient. Physical examinations revealed ulceronecrotic skin lesions. Skin biopsies demonstrated syphilis spirochetes on immunohistochemical stain, and syphilis serological titers were positive. Treatment with intravenous penicillin G was begun, and complete resolution of the skin lesions was observed. A rapid plasma reagin titer test performed 3 months after treatment revealed a 4-fold reduction in the titer, indicating successful treatment.

Lues maligna in early HIV infection case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Lues maligna (also known as malignant syphilis or ulceronodular syphilis) is a rare dermatologic manifestation of syphilis more commonly seen in patients with HIV infection. The classic lesion of lues maligna is an oval, papulopustular skin lesion with well demarcated borders sometimes covered with a lamellar crust, but myriad clinical presentations of this disease also exist.

GOALS

To report a presentation of lues maligna in a patient with probable early HIV infection, emphasizing the diagnostic criteria and clinical manifestations of lues maligna.

STUDY DESIGN

Case report of lues maligna in a patient with probable early HIV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

As syphilis becomes more common in many developed regions, it is important to recognize even atypical presentations of this clinical entity, especially among individuals who have unrecognized or early HIV infection.

Syphilis: the renaissance of an old disease with oral implications

Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum an anaerobic filamentous spirochete. In recent years, striking outbreaks have occurred in USA, Canada, Russia, China and some areas of Central and Eastern Europe. Main epidemiology changes reflect sex industry, sexual promiscuity, decreasing use of barrier protection (i.e. condoms) due to false sense of security that nowadays sexually transmitted diseases are curable and lack of pertinent knowledge. Considering that the initial presentation of syphilis may be the oral cavity, it is of great relevance to include this disease in the differential diagnosis of unusual oral ulcerations and white patches. Primary syphilis is a highly infectious disease in which inappropriate treatment may be apparently curative while the patient remains highly infectious. It is then of pivotal importance that clinicians maintain a high clinical index of suspicion. At the present time, clinical-pathologic correlation together with serologic studies remain essential in establishing the diagnosis of syphilis.

Syphilis and HIV Infection: an Update

Although once on decline in the United States and Europe, the incidence of syphilis has been on the rise since 2000. This increase is noteworthy because there is a high coinfection rate with HIV, especially among men who have sex with men. In light of high coinfection rates, all HIV-infected patients should be tested for syphilis and vice versa. HIV can alter the clinical manifestations of syphilis and, in turn, syphilis has the potential to change the course and transmission of HIV. This article addresses variations in clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of individuals coinfected with HIV and syphilis.

The many faces of secondary syphilis: a re-emergence of an old disease

There has been a recent dramatic re-emergence of syphilis in the UK. This article describes the varied clinical manifestations of secondary syphilis and describes the diagnosis and current guidelines for treatment, especially in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection.