Anorectal syphilis mimicking Crohn's disease

J Infect Chemother. 2011 Oct;17(5):713-5. doi: 10.1007/s10156-011-0234-1. Epub 2011 Mar 26.

Abstract

Anorectal syphilis, one of the great masqueraders in medicine, can be difficult to diagnose not only because of its variable symptoms but also because it is hard to think of unless a detailed history about sexual preferences and practices, including homosexuality, has been gathered. With increasing acceptance of sexual activity in our culture, despite moral and religious issues, various forms of sex have led to many different clinical conditions of sexually transmitted diseases. In this report, we describe a rare case of primary anorectal syphilis with clinical, endoscopic and histologic features that was misdiagnosed as Crohn's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anus Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Anus Diseases / drug therapy
  • Anus Diseases / pathology
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penicillin G Benzathine / therapeutic use
  • Rectal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rectal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Rectal Diseases / pathology
  • Syphilis / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Syphilis / pathology
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Penicillin G Benzathine

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, primary