Rectal syphilitic ulcer

Gastric syphilis and its importance for a differential diagnosis in HIV patients

A 41-year-old male, with history of HIV presented to emergency department with two months of abdominal pain and a weight loss. Radiological and endoscopic examinations where suggestive of gastric cancer. However, biopsies ruled out malignancy. The reaginic and anti-treponemal tests were positive, so the histological study was repeated with anti-Treponema pallidum monoclonal antibodies. The presence of spirochetes was confirmed. After three weeks of penicillin-based treatment, the gastric lesions and symptoms were resolved.

Infectious proctitis due to syphilis and chlamydia: an exuberant presentation

Infectious proctitis by sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in incidence and should be considered in men who have sex with men with rectal symptoms. In this case, we show an exuberant form of syphilitic and chlamydial proctitis that could be diagnosed as another anorectal disease such as inflammatory proctitis or even as a neoplasm if the clinical history is not taken into account.