Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus secondary to syphilis infection

Atypical presentation of syphilis: Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. With the recent worldwide resurgence of syphilis, it is imperative to recognize various presentations of this great imitator. Renal syphilis is rare and most commonly present as nephrotic range proteinuria associated with pathological features of membranous glomerulonephritis. Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a rare and atypical form of renal syphilis. A 50-year-old Ethiopian woman presented with periorbital swelling, hematuria, proteinuria, and rapidly progressive renal failure. Rapid plasma reagin and confirmatory Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) tests were reactive. Treatment with a weekly Benzathine penicillin for 3 weeks resulted in a rapid return of renal function to baseline, with the increasing rate of new syphilis, clinicians should be mindful of the various renal manifestation of syphilis. This case highlights the significance of considering syphilis as a reversible cause in any patient presenting with a clinical feature suggestive of RPGN.

Renal manifestations of syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by spirochaete Treponema pallidum. The incidence of syphilis is rising across the globe. It has been described in the literature as a great imitator due to the vast range of clinical manifestations that can occur in the disease. Renal manifestations are rare but a feature of secondary syphilis. It can cause glomerulopathies, tubular pathology and vasculitic lesions in the kidney. Membranous nephropathy is the most commonly reported glomerular lesion associated with syphilis. With two recent cases of secondary membranous nephropathy due to syphilis, it is timely to review the current state of knowledge, and discuss the different renal manifestation of syphilis, its pathology and treatment options.

Syphilis-Associated Acute Renal Failure and Hepatitis in the Setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection

Two individuals with human immunodeficiency virus presented in acute renal failure with nephrotic range proteinuria and were diagnosed with secondary syphilis. One of them also had elevated transaminases. Kidney biopsies revealed membranous nephropathy, a rare complication of secondary syphilis, in both cases. Normal hepatic and renal function were restored after treatment with penicillin.