Neurosyphilis manifesting with unilateral visual loss and hyponatremia: a case report

BMC Infect Dis. 2011 Jan 15:11:17. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-11-17.

Abstract

Background: Syphilis is called the chameleon of the diseases due to its variety of its clinical presentations, potentially affecting every organ of the body. Incidence of this ancient disease is once again on the increase worldwide.

Case presentation: We here report an unusual case of neurosyphilis manifesting with unilateral visual loss and hyponatremia. The patient also had primary syphilitic lesions and was concomitantly diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. Treatment with ceftriaxone and prednisolone, completely resolved the hyponatremia and visual acuity was partially restored.

Conclusion: Awareness of syphilis as a differential diagnosis is important as previously unreported presentations of neurosyphilis can arise, especially in HIV infected patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / drug therapy
  • Hyponatremia / etiology*
  • Hyponatremia / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosyphilis / complications*
  • Neurosyphilis / diagnosis
  • Neurosyphilis / drug therapy
  • Neurosyphilis / virology
  • Vision Disorders / drug therapy
  • Vision Disorders / etiology*
  • Vision Disorders / virology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents