A case of secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement and review of the literature.

Suttichai Visuttichaikit, Nuntra Suwantarat, Anucha Apisarnthanarak, Pansachee Damronglerd

Journal: International journal of STD & AIDS 2019;29(10):1027-1032

PMID: 29621949

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum. We report a case of a heterosexual, HIV-positive man who presented with secondary syphilis and a lung abscess. A bacterial lung abscess was suspected and a computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle aspiration of the lung abscess was performed. Direct pulmonary involvement by T. pallidum was suggested by a positive PCR result on the aspirated fluid specimen. The clinical signs of secondary syphilis improved, and the lung abscess was resolved after treatment with benzathine penicillin G and amoxicillin-clavulanate. The final diagnosis was secondary pulmonary syphilis. Few reports of secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement have been reported to date.

Address: 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.; 2 Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.

DOI: 10.1177/0956462418765834

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Chest Pain, HIV Infections, Humans, Lung, Lung Abscess, Male, Penicillin G Benzathine, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Syphilis, Syphilis Serodiagnosis, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Treatment Outcome, Treponema pallidum