Vesiculobullous syphilis: a case involving an unusual cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis

J Foot Ankle Surg. 2011 Jan-Feb;50(1):96-101. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2010.08.015. Epub 2010 Nov 24.

Abstract

The recent resurgence of syphilis mandates that clinicians maintain a heightened suspicion for Treponema infection, and that they be aware of the variety of cutaneous presentations that may mimic eczema, psoriasis, drug eruption, erythema multiforme, lichen planus, tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, or other lichenoid lesions. In this report, we describe an unusual case of secondary syphilis in an adult woman, and briefly review the wide array of syphilitic dermopathy that could present to the foot and ankle surgeon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foot Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Foot Diseases / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Penicillin G Benzathine / administration & dosage
  • Risk Assessment
  • Serologic Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Syphilis / diagnosis
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Syphilis, Cutaneous / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Penicillin G Benzathine

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, secondary