The importance of including neurosyphilis in the differenti al diagnosis of pati ents wit h cognitive decline and behavior disturbances

Authors

  • Hilda Maria Pascal Alves dos Santos
  • Camilee Pereira Tostes
  • Amanda B. Peixoto
  • Camile P. Figueira
  • Renata J. Bortolini
  • Carolina M. Torrado
  • José Augusto C. Nery

Keywords:

neurosyphilis, cognitive decline, early diagnosis, proper treatment, STD

Abstract

Neurosyphilis results from infection of the brain, meninges or spinal cord by Treponema pallidum and develops in about 25-40% of persons who are not treated for syphilis. Dementia by neurosyphilis is a late manifestation of syphilis and was a frequent cause of dementia before the advent and widespread use of penicillin in the treatment of early stages of the disease. Although uncommon today, dementia of neurosyphilis still a differential diagnosis to consider in the face of atypical dementia or with manifestations front, particularly in socially disadvantaged populations socially. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis of neurosyphilis, which clinicians should alert the possibility of neurosyphilis in patients who present with dementia, mainly belonging to the group of potentially reversible dementias, because proper treatment can reverse cognitive decline. And also, by increasing the number of syphilis cases in the last decade, particularly in combination with HIV, which can acelerate the course and alter the response to treatment of syphilis. This increased incidence of syphilis, also observed in Europe and the United States, could result in an increase in the number of cases of neurosyphilis observed in clinical practice.

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Author Biographies

Hilda Maria Pascal Alves dos Santos

Aluna da liga de DST/Hanseníase da Santa Casa de Misericórdia.

Camilee Pereira Tostes

Aluna da liga de DST/Hanseníase da Santa Casa de Misericórdia.

Amanda B. Peixoto

Aluna da liga de DST/Hanseníase da Santa Casa de Misericórdia.

Camile P. Figueira

Aluna da liga de DST/Hanseníase da Santa Casa de Misericórdia.

Renata J. Bortolini

Aluna da liga de DST/Hanseníase da Santa Casa de Misericórdia.

Carolina M. Torrado

Médica pós-graduanda em dermatologia pela Santa Casa da Misericórdia.

José Augusto C. Nery

Chefe do setor de dermatologia sanitária da Santa Casa da Misericórdia.

Published

2010-08-14

How to Cite

1.
Santos HMPA dos, Tostes CP, Peixoto AB, Figueira CP, Bortolini RJ, Torrado CM, et al. The importance of including neurosyphilis in the differenti al diagnosis of pati ents wit h cognitive decline and behavior disturbances. DST [Internet]. 2010 Aug. 14 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];22(3):150-2. Available from: https://bjstd.org/revista/article/view/1090

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Section

Original Article