Neurosyphilis in a Non-HIV Patient: More than a Psychiatric Concern

Autor: Michael K Tso, Kevin Koo, Grace Y Tso
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: McGill Journal of Medicine, Vol 11, Iss 2 (2020)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1715-8125
DOI: 10.26443/mjm.v11i2.597
Popis: Neurosyphilis is a form of tertiary syphilis infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. Patients suffering from this illness can present with neurological manifestations such as headaches, seizures, hearing loss, and ataxia. However, the typical presentation of neurosyphilis is the insidious onset of psychiatric symptoms including personality changes.Agood history and clinical work-up is essential in the diagnostic process. There has been a recent increase in the incidence of infectious syphilis in Canada (1). However, in other parts of the world including China, infectious syphilis rates have remained high due to limited access to primary care and affordable treatments (2). Here, we present a case of neurosyphilis in a 40 year old Chinese male residing in China who presents with an 18 month history of personality changes as well as neurological and physical manifestations of the infection.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals