Secondary Syphilis with Nodular Vasculitis Mimicking Behçet's Disease

Infect Chemother. 2013 Dec;45(4):451-4. doi: 10.3947/ic.2013.45.4.451. Epub 2013 Dec 27.

Abstract

Although, erythema nodosum is a common skin manifestation associated with syphilis, nodular vasculitis is a rare feature. Here, we describe a case of a 22-year-old, human immunedeficiency virus negative, non-immunocompromised man who developed recurrent oral and scrotal ulcers with nodular lesions of the lower extremitie. Behçet's disease was initially suspected, however, his serologic test for syphilis was positive, and he was thus diagnosed with secondary syphilis, with a skin biopsy showing nodular vasculitis. The patient was treated with benzathine penicillin, and the skin lesions disappeared after treatment.

Keywords: Behçet's Disease; Nodular Vasculitis; Secondary Syphilis.