Neurosyphilis and Clinical Variants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4181/RNC.2012.20.617.6pKeywords:
Syphilis, Central Nervous System, NeurosyphilisAbstract
Introduction. Neurosyphilis is an uncommon manifestation of central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Treponema pallidum. Cases. We report three cases of neurosyphilis. Case 1 presented with ocular involvement: right optic atrophy and left optic neuritis; case 2 had a meningovascular form, with ischemic stroke; and case 3, a meningeal form, presented with headaches as the main complaint. Discussion. The cases reported had distinguished forms of neurosyphilis. Serologic diagnosis depends on the presence of antibodies: Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) - not specific – and/ or Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption (FTA-ABS) - specific. Conclusion. In the cases above cerebrospinal fluid FTA-ABS was a diagnostic clue for neurosyphilis even though unreactive serum VDRL was found.
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References
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