Recent syphilis with oral manifestations

three case reports treated at a STD clinic

Abstract

Introduction: The occurrence of sexually transmitted infections with oral manifestations, such as syphilis, remains a challenge in the era of rapid tests associated with an adequate clinical evaluation in the patients’ approach. Objective: To describe the clinical and laboratory aspects involved, from the diagnosis to prognosis, of three case reports of recent syphilis with oral manifestations attended at a university clinic in the city of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Case report: Three cases of recent syphilis with oral manifestations in the tongue region. The first one, a 38-year-old female patient who presented syphilis in regions of the body other than the oral cavity (case I); the second one, a 31-year-old male patient with oral ulcerative lesions with associated genital lesion (case II); and, finally, a 49-year-old female patient suspected of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions, in which syphilis was confirmed after a long path to obtain her diagnosis (case III). All cases were laboratory tested at the time of diagnosis and received appropriate treatment and guidance. Conclusion: It was possible to observe through the present study that some situations need attention: evaluation of the oral cavity should occur concomitantly with the investigation of genital lesions; diagnosis hypothesis of occurrence of syphilis with oral manifestation should be considered in the clinical evaluation; oral lesions may present similar clinical manifestations, suggesting investigation of their possible infectious etiology.