[Syphilis: 57 observations in Fez, Morocco]

A prospective study of syphilis cases over a period of 2 years (January 2008 to September 2009) was carried out in the Department of Dermatology of the Hassan II University Hospital Center in Fes, Morocco. A total of 57 cases were identified. The M/F sex ratio was 0.89. Mean patient age was 40.5 years (range, 22-80). Risk factors included unprotected sex in 96.5% of cases and multiple partners in 42.1%. Nine patients had a history of sexually transmitted infection. No patient had received blood transfusion. Clinical picture was late latent syphilis in 70.2% of cases (n = 41). Only one case was associated with human immunodeficiency virus. The mainstay treatment was intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin. Outcome was favorable in 48 cases.

[Cutaneous tuberculosis: a 36-case series from Morocco]

Tuberculosis is still endemic in Morocco. Cutaneous tuberculosis is the fifth most common form after pleuropulmonary, glandular, digestive and urogenital tract tuberculosis. The purpose of this single-center prospective study is to describe all cases of cutaneous tuberculosis treated between May 2006 and June 2009. Diagnosis was suspected based on clinical, immunological and histological features. The main clinical presentations, i.e., scrofuloderma and gumma, were consistent with endemicity of tuberculosis in Morocco. Since definitive diagnosis by detection of the tubercle bacillus was rarely possible, therapy was usually undertaken presumptively based on clinical and laboratory findings and therapeutic response.