Psychosis or Simply a New Manifestation of Neurosyphilis?

The widespread use of antibiotics in recent years has caused a significant reduction in the incidence of neurosyphilis and changes in its clinical features. We present a case that initially presented as persistent headache and untreatable psychosis. Neurosyphilis was diagnosed during the clinical ev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of international medical research Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 335 - 337
Main Authors Kararizou, E, Mitsonis, C, Dimopoulos, N, Gkiatas, K, Markou, I, Kalfakis, N
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.05.2006
Subjects
Adult
Headache - etiology
Humans
Male
Neurosyphilis - blood
Neurosyphilis - diagnosis
Neurosyphilis - physiopathology
Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis
Psychotic Disorders - physiopathology
Psychosis
Neurosyphilis
Venereal disease
Lumbar puncture
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Summary:The widespread use of antibiotics in recent years has caused a significant reduction in the incidence of neurosyphilis and changes in its clinical features. We present a case that initially presented as persistent headache and untreatable psychosis. Neurosyphilis was diagnosed during the clinical evaluation. Blood serum analyses for syphilis were positive for rapid plasma reagin titres, the Venereal Disease Research Laboratories test and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption. A lumbar puncture was performed and cerebrospinal fluid analysis resulted in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. The patient completed a 2-week course of treatment with aqueous crystalline penicillin G and his symptoms subsequently improved. We suggest that neurosyphilis should always be included in the differential diagnosis of untreatable psychosis.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Case Study-2
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ISSN:0300-0605
1473-2300
DOI:10.1177/147323000603400314