Sífilis ocular, "la gran simuladora" / Ocular syphilis, "the great pretender"

Introducción: La sífilis es una enfermedad de transmisión sexual causada por el Treponema pallidum. Reportes recientes de diferentes regiones del mundo sugieren que la sífilis ocular está reemergiendo en paralelo con el incremento de la incidencia de la infección sistémica a nivel global. Objetivo: Profundizar en el conocimiento sobre la sífilis, especialmente, en la sífilis ocular, que se encuentra en la bibliografía especializada. Métodos: Fundamentalmente se consultaron artículos de los últimos 5 años, en idioma español e inglés, disponibles en textos completos. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron: PubMed, SciELO y Google académico. Conclusiones: La sífilis ocular puede presentarse en cualquier estadío de la enfermedad e imitar diferentes afecciones inflamatorias oculares, por lo que debe tenerse presente en el diagnóstico diferencial de toda uveítis. El tratamiento oportuno de estos pacientes puede minimizar el daño visual, pero su diagnóstico es a menudo un desafío para el oftalmólogo(AU)

Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Recent reports from different regions of the world suggest that ocular syphilis is re-emerging, in parallel with the increasing incidence of systemic infection globally. Objective: To deepen the knowledge on syphilis and especially ocular syphilis found in the specialized literature. Methods: The articles consulted were mainly from the last 5 years, in Spanish and English, available in full text. The databases consulted were PubMed, SciELO and Google academic. Conclusions: Ocular syphilis can present at any stage of the disease and mimic different ocular inflammatory conditions, so it should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of any uveitis. Prompt treatment of these patients can minimize visual damage but its diagnosis is often a challenge for the ophthalmologist(AU)

Neurosyphilis with Ocular Involvement in a patient with newly diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: A case report

Introduction@#Syphilis is a chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum sub-species pallidum. Syphilis, by itself, already has a varied clinical presentation depending on the stage, earning its moniker as “the great imitator”. In a patient without HIV infection, untreated syphilis presents as a chronic infection with primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages. With the emergence of the AIDS pandemic, HIV co infection may significantly alter the clinical presentation of syphilis. This is a case of a patient with neurosyphilis with overlapping primary and secondary syphilis.@*Case Presentation@#This is a case of a 34-year-old Filipino male who came in due to blurring of vision. The patient’s illness started six months prior to admission, when he noted the appearance of a painless, non-pruritic, solitary ulcer with erosions on his penis. A month after, he started to have progressive blurring of vision. In the interim, erythematous, scaly plaques appeared on the dorsal aspect of both hands and feet, and on the tip of the nose, with associated thinning of hair on the scalp and eyebrows. The skin and penile lesions eventually increased in size and number. The examination of the pupils showed a 6 mm right pupil, non-reactive to light, and a 2 mm left pupil which was minimally reactive to light and constricts upon accommodation. The diagnosis of syphilis was confirmed by a reactive serum Rapid Plasma Reagin at 1:64 dilution, and a reactive serum Treponemal Enzyme Immunoassay. HIV screening was also reactive, with a CD4+ cell count of 15 cells/μL. Ophthalmologic findings were consistent with panuveitis. Skin punch biopsy revealed lichenoid and interstitial dermatitis with which syphilis was highly considered. Cranial CT imaging showed mild cerebral atrophy. Lumbar tap revealed a colorless, clear cerebrospinal fluid, with lymphocytic pleocytosis, normal protein, decreased glucose, and a reactive CSF RPR. The patient was given intravenous penicillin G 3 million units every 4 hours for 14 days, together with ophthalmic medications (prednisolone, levofloxacin, and atropine ophthalmic drops). He was also started on antiretroviral therapy. Prior to discharge, the patient was noted to have improved vision, skin lesions were significantly improved, and he was advised for close monitoring as outpatient.@*Conclusion@#Through this case, it was elaborated that with HIV co-infection, syphilis may present atypically—with multiple, persistent, primary lesions; with overlapping of the stages, and increased frequency of neurosyphilis presenting early into the infection.

Sífilis ocular como manifestación de neurolues: a propósito de un caso clínico / Ocular syphilis as a manifestation of neurolues: about a clinical case / Sífilis ocular como manifestação de neurolores: sobre um caso clínico

Resume: La sífilis ocular es una forma infrecuente de neurosífilis, que se puede presentar en cualquier estadio de la enfermedad. La presentación clínica puede ser heterogénea, siendo la forma más frecuente la uveítis. El diagnóstico se confirma con serología, debiéndose realizar estudio del líquido cefalorraquídeo para descartar compromiso meníngeo. Su detección y tratamiento precoz permiten la prevención de complicaciones neurológicas como la ceguera irreversible. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente que se presenta con panuveítis y diagnóstico serológico de sífilis presentando excelente respuesta al tratamiento instaurado.

Abstract. Ocular syphilis is an uncommon type of neurosyphilis, which can occur at any stage of the disease. The clinical presentation can be heterogeneous, with uveitis being the most frequent form. The diagnosis is confirmed with serology and a study of the cerebrospinal fluid should be performed to rule out meningeal involvement. Its diagnosis and early treatment allow the prevention of neurological complications such as irreversible blindness. We present a clinical case of a patient who presents with panuveitis and serological diagnosis of syphilis presenting an excellent response to treatment.

Resumo: A sífilis ocular é uma apresentação atípica do neurosífilis, que pode ocorrer em qualquer estágio da doença. A apresentação clínica pode ser heterogênea, sendo a uveíte a forma mais frequente. O diagnóstico é confirmado com sorologia e um estudo do líquido cefalorraquidiano deve ser realizado para descartar o compromisso meníngeo. Seu diagnóstico e tratamento precoce permitem prevenir complicações neurológicas como cegueira irreversível. Apresentamos um caso clínico de um paciente com panuveíte e diagnóstico sorológico de sífilis e excelente resposta ao tratamento.

Intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone implant for the treatment of persistent cystoid macular edema in ocular syphilis

With a resurgence of syphilis with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in last few years, various ocular manifestations of syphilis have been described in literature. This case report described an HIV-positive patient on anti-retroviral therapy who was diagnosed and treated for posterior uveitis secondary to ocular syphilis in the recent past presented to our clinic with cystoid macular edema (CME). CME, which did not respond to periocular corticosteroid, resolved with intravitreal sustained release dexamethasone implant. There was a recurrence CME 9 months later and repeat injection of intravitreal implant showed complete resolution. A long-term follow-up did not reveal reactivation of the infection with intravitreal corticosteroid. Intravitreal sustained release dexamethasone implant can be an effective treatment for refractory CME in patients with regressed syphilitic uveitis.

Neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis clinical and cerebrospinal fluid characteristics: a case series / Características clínicas e liqúoricas de pacientes com neurossífilis e sífilis ocular: uma série de casos

ABSTRACT Background During the first decade of this century, a significant increase in the incidence of syphilis was documented. Objective To study clinical and laboratory characteristics of central nervous system and ocular syphilis. Methods A retrospective case series of 13 patients with a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of neurosyphilis and/or ocular syphilis who had been admitted to the Neurology and Neuro-ophthalmology Service of the Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná. Results Nine patients had a diagnosis of neurosyphilis and two of them also had ocular syphilis. Four patients had a diagnosis of ocular syphilis alone. Among the patients with a diagnosis of neurosyphilis, six had symptomatic syphilitic meningitis, of whom one manifested as cranial nerve palsy alone, one as cranial nerve palsy plus ocular syphilis, two as transverse myelitis (syphilitic meningomyelitis), one as meningitis worsening the patient's myasthenia gravis symptoms and one as meningitis plus ocular syphilis. Additionally, we diagnosed three patients with meningovascular neurosyphilis. In the univariate analysis, patients without ocular syphilis showed greater levels of total protein and white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid than patients with ocular syphilis. Conclusion This Brazilian case series of patients with neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis highlights the wide variability of this disease. A high degree of diagnostic suspicion is necessary when facing neurological and ocular symptoms for rapid diagnosis and appropriate management of patients.

RESUMO Introdução Na primeira década deste século observou-se um aumento significativo da incidência de sífilis no mundo. Objetivo Estudar características clínicas e laboratoriais da sífilis no Sistema Nervoso Central e da sífilis ocular. Métodos Estudou-se, retrospectivamente, uma série de treze casos com diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial de neurossífilis e/ou sífilis ocular, admitidos aos Serviços de Neurologia ou Neuroftalmologia do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná. Resultados Nove pacientes tiveram diagnóstico de neurosífilis e dois destes apresentaram concomitantemente sífilis ocular. Quatro pacientes tiveram somente o diagnóstico de sífilis ocular. Dos pacientes com diagnóstico de neurosífilis, seis apresentaram meningite sifilítica sintomática, dentre os quais um se apresentou com paralisia isolada de par craniano, um com paralisia de par craniano associada sífilis ocular, dois com mielite transversa (manifestação de meningomielite), um com meningite que agravou sintomas de Miastenia Gravis e um com meningite isolada associada a sífilis ocular. Houve 3 casos de neurosífilis meningovascular. Na análise univariada, pacientes sem manifestações oculares de sífilis apresentaram maiores níveis proteína total e leucócitos do que os pacientes com sífilis ocular. Conclusão Essa série brasileira de casos de pacientes com neurosífilis e sífilis ocular destaca a alta variabilidade clínica desta doença. Alto grau de suspeição diagnóstica é necessário quando em frente a sintomas neurológicos e oculares para rápido diagnóstico e adequado manejo dos pacientes.

Neuritis óptica en presencia de anticuerpos antifosfolipidos de origen sifilítico: un diagnostico olvidado / Optic neuritis in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies of syphilitic origin: a forgotten diagnosis

Resumen: la neuritis óptica es infrecuente como manifestación de sífilis ocular, la falta de características típicas genera retraso en el diagnóstico. Describimos el caso de una mujer de 47 años , inmunocompetente con historia de 4 meses de disminución progresiva de la agudeza visual de predominio izquierdo, asociado a dolor, inyección conjuntival y cefalea, al examen físico con visión de bultos y al fondo de ojo con signos de inflamación ocular dentro de la evaluación diagnostica presenta: VDRL y FTA-ABS positivo en suero, positividad de ANAS y anticuerpos anticardiolipinas igG, LCR con VDRL reactivo, se diagnostica neuritis óptica por neurosifilis en presencia de anticuerpos antifosfolipidos, iniciando tratamiento con penicilina cristalina 24 000 000 de unidades día por 14 días. En pacientes con signos de inflamación ocular debe realizarse VDRL, confirmarse con prueba treponemica, y realizar punción lumbar, el tratamiento precoz se asocia a mejora de desenlaces visuales.

Abstract :optic neuritis is uncommon as an ocular syphilis clinical presentation; the lack of typical features generates delay in the diagnosis. We describe the case of a 47-year-old woman, immunocompetent with a 4-month history of left visual acuity progressive of left side reduction, associated with pain, conjunctival injection and headache, physical examination with lumpy vision and fundus with signs of ocular inflammation, within the diagnostic evaluation, serum VDRL, FTA-ABS was reactive, with ANAS and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies serum positivity, lumbar punction was taken with reactive VDRL, optic neuritis by neurosyphilis was diagnosed, with antiphospholipid antibodies cross reactivity , treatment with crystalline penicillin 24 000 000 of units day for 14 days was started . In patients with signs of ocular inflammation, VDRL should be performed, confirmed with a treponemal test, and a lumbar puncture should be performed. Early treatment is associated with improvement of visual outcomes.

Neurosyphilis (Ocular Syphilis) with Bilateral Temporal Lobe Atrophy in an HIV patient: A case report

Introduction@#Before the advent of antibiotics, syphilis was known to be one of the most common infections affecting approximately 10% of the adult population worldwide. One of its devastating complications is neurosyphilis, which has a broad set of manifestations. Some patients may present with blurring of vision in the setting of an ongoing syphilis infection known as ocular syphilis. In the advent of increasing incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, co-infection with it may further obscure its manifestations or may even cause synergistic effects.@*Case Presentation@#Presenting a case of a 26-year-old male patient who complained of bilateral fronto-occipital headache with progressive blurring of vision and scaly reddish to brown maculopapular lesions affecting the limbs prominently the soles and palms. CT scan showed cerebral atrophy prominently on the temporal lobe bilaterally. Mental status exam was normal. Neurosyphilis was confirmed by CSF studies and patient tested positive for HIV infection. Patient was then started on aqueous crystalline benzathine penicillin G four million units every four hours for ten days and was discharged with improved condition and no neurocognitive deficits. . He was advised to have CD4 count and other work up for his HIV infection as outpatient.@*Conclusion@#The reported incidence of neurosyphilis is increasing in the advent of HIV infection. The deficiency of a clear epidemiology, pathophysiology and complications of cerebral atrophy in neurosyphilis patients co-infected with HIV necessitates further studies to elucidate the proper approach to this preventable and treatable disease.

A Case of Acute Interstitial Keratitis in a Patient with Acquired Syphilis

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute interstitial keratitis as the first clinical sign in a patient with latent syphilis. CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old female presented with visual impairment and discomfort in her right eye that developed 3 days earlier. The visual acuity in the right eye was 20/200 and corrected to 20/100, and slit lamp examination showed round sub-epithelial opacification in the central cornea with stromal edema and neovascularization on the cornea of the right eye. Whole body tests including serological tests were performed. Under the suspicion of acute interstitial keratitis, topical antibiotics and steroids were applied 4 times a day initially. Serological tests were reactive for venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL). Under the suspicion of acute interstitial keratitis due to syphilis, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test IgM/IgG (FTA-ABS IgM/IgG) was performed; a positive result for FTA-ABS IgG led to diagnosis of acute interstitial keratitis with latent syphilis. During treatment, systemic doxycycline 200 mg for 4 weeks with topical antibiotics and steroids were administered, the opacity and edema of the cornea regressed after 2 weeks of treatment, and visual acuity in the patient's right eye improved to 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: We report an unusual case of acute interstitial keratitis as the first clinical manifestation of latent syphilis in an immunocompetent patient.

Clinical value of C - reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cell count in patients with ocular syphilis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To explore the clinical value of combined detection of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) and white blood cell ( WBC) count in patients with ocular syphilis. METHODS:Dates of CRP, ESR, WBC, TPPA and RPR of 51 ophthalmopathy patients caused by syphilis and 50 normal control from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2015 in eye hospital were recruited and analyzed statistically. RESULTS:The positive rates of CRP, ESR and WBC of oculopathy patients were 16%, 18% and 39%, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group. In patients group, the positive rate of ESR was higher than CRP and WBC. There were no obvious relationships between RPR titers and positive ratios of CRP, WBC and ESR. CONCLUSION: The blood level of CRP, WBC and ESR may have certain help in estimating and monitoring condition of patients with ocular syphilis.

Ocular Inflammation Associated with Systemic Infection / 한양의대학술지

Systemic infections that are caused by various types of pathogenic organisms can be spread to the eyes as well as to other solid organs. Bacteria, parasites, and viruses can invade the eyes via the bloodstream. Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of systemic infections, many patients still suffer from endogenous ocular infections; this is particularly due to an increase in the number of immunosuppressed patients such as those with human immunodeficiency virus infection, those who have had organ transplantations, and those being administered systemic chemotherapeutic and immunomodulating agents, which may increase the chance of ocular involvement. In this review, we clinically evaluated posterior segment manifestations in the eye caused by hematogenous penetration of systemic infections. We focused on the conditions that ophthalmologists encounter most often and that require cooperation with other medical specialists. Posterior segment manifestations and clinical characteristics of cytomegalovirus retinitis, endogenous endophthalmitis, toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis, and ocular syphilis are included in this brief review.

Ocular Syphilis Presenting as both Optic Neuritis and Chorioretinitis in both Eyes

PURPOSE: To report a patient with ocular syphilis, who showed variable ocular manifestations, including optic neuritis and chorioretinitis in both eyes over a short time period. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-male visited our clinic for central scotoma in the left eye. The visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. The fundus of the left eye showed a slightly hyperemic optic disc and multiple yellowish deposits. One week later, visual acuity and fundus lesion improved to 20/20 without a definitive treatment. However, 1 month later, he reported a new deterioration of vision in his right eye to 20/40. The right eye had a relative afferent pupillary defect and the fundus examination showed a blurred optic disc margin. Serological work-up was recommended but the patient refused. He returned 3 weeks later with an improvement in the right eye vision (20/25) and a worsening in the left eye (20/200). The examination revealed an improvement of the previously blurred disc margin in the right eye and newly developed chorioretinitis with vasculitis in the left eye. A serological test was performed. The venereal diseases research laboratory titer was 1:32. The fluorescent treponemal antigen absorbance test as positive for IgG and IgM. He was diagnosed with ocular syphilis and referred to the infectious disease department. He was treated with antibiotics. Six months later, the visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes and the previous fundus lesions had disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular syphilis should be considered in patients with atypical and variable clinical course.

Ocular Syphilis Presented as Occult Outer Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To report a case of ocular syphilis presenting as occult outer retinopathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 42-year-old female presented with decreased visual acuity for one month in duration in the left eye. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/250 in the left eye. There was no sign of inflammation in the anterior segment. Fundus examination showed no distinct abnormal findings including vitreous cell or haziness except mild diabetic retinopathy and subtle opacity of the macula. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a marked distortion of the inner segment-outer segment (IS-OS) junction in the photoreceptor layer without macular edema. Fluorescent angiography revealed diffuse subtle hyperfluorescence with microvasculitis in late phase. Full-field electroretinography (ERG) and multifocal ERG showed decreased amplitude; thus, acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) was considered as the diagnosis. Laboratory work-ups before steroid therapy revealed positive serology for active syphilis. One month after treatment with penicillin G (6 million international units per day for 14 days), best-corrected VA improved to 20/30, and restoration of the IS-OS junction was observed on OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular syphilis may present as occult outer retinopathy resembling AZOOR, and serologic work-up is required to avoid misdiagnosis. In the present case, anatomical and functional recovery were obtained after antibiotic therapy.

A Case of Ocular Syphilis Presenting as Bilateral Optic Neuritis

PURPOSE: To report a case of ocular syphilis presenting as bilateral optic neuritis. CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old man presented with visual difficulty in both eyes that had begun 2 weeks previously. Best corrected visual acuity was 0.7 in the right eye and 0.1 in the left eye. Anterior segment was normal. On fundoscopic examination, optic disc swelling was found in both eyes. Color vision was abnormal in the left eye. The visual field (VF) showed peripheral constriction in the right eye and generalized reduction in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography revealed early, bilateral leakage of dye from the optic disc with multiple hot spots in the chorioretinal level. Serology was positive for fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbance (FTA-ABS) IgM, IgG and rapid plasma reagin test. A test of the cerebrospinal fluid was positive for venereal diseases research laboratory and FTA-ABS IgG. A diagnosis of syphilitic optic neuritis was made and the patient was treated with antibiotics. Six months later, visual acuity was 1.0 in the right eye and 0.8 in the left eye. There was no disc swelling on both fundoscopy and optical coherence tomographs. VF also improved after treatment, with the restoration of central vision. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis can present as optic neuritis. Clinicians should consider serologic examination for syphilis and then initiate appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Clinical Manifestations of Ocular Syphilis Combined with Neurosyphilis

PURPOSE: To report the manifestation of ocular syphilis combined with neurosyphilis in patients who present with uveitis clinically and are diagnosed initially by an ophthalmologist. METHODS: This study is a retrospective, clinical investigation of seven male patients with ocular syphilis from a single tertiary center between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at onset was 44.4 years (range, 33-71 years). Posterior segment involvement was found in all patients. Two patients had papillitis. In serologic testing, all patients had positive responses to Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test (FTA-ABS) and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA). In fluorescein angiography (FAG), retinal vascular and disc leakage was the most common finding. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was performed for six patients and demonstrated positive CSF FTA-ABS and CSF TPHA tests in all patients. CSF VDRL was reactive in 2 patients (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: All patients with ocular syphilis were diagnosed with neurosyphilis based on the analysis of CSF with FTA-ABS and TPHA. Ophthalmologists play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis.

Delayed diagnosis of ocular syphilis that manifested as retinal vasculitis and acute posterior multifocal placoid epitheliopathy.

A 55‑year‑old female presented with bilateral progressive retinal vasculitis. She was on systemic and intravitreal steroids on the basis of uveitis work‑up result (negative result including rapid plasma reagin), but her visual acuity continued to deteriorate to light perception only. Ocular examination showed retinal vasculitis, multiple yellow placoid lesions and severe macula edema in both eyes. Repeated work‑up revealed positivity of fluorescent treponemal antibody‑absorption in serum and subsequently in cerebrospinal fluid. Ocular syphilis was diagnosed. And intravenous penicillin G resulted in rapid resolution of vasculitis and macular edema. To avoid delay in the diagnosis of ocular syphilis, high index of suspicion and repeating serological tests (including both treponemal and non‑treponemal tests) are warranted.

Sífilis ocular: Presentación de diez casos y revisión de la literatura / Ocular syphilis: Ten new cases and review of the literature

Introduction: Ocular manifestations in patients with syphilis may involve almost any of the structures of the eye. Objectives: To describe ten new cases of syphilis with eye involvement and to briefly discuss the management and therapy of such condition. Material and Methods: Ten cases were retrospectively studied over 13 years. Demographic factors, ophthalmologic examination, and laboratory tests were assessed. Results: Seven of the 10 cases were male and 3 were female. The mean age of patients was 39,7 years. Disease presentation included: panuveitis (6 patients), optic neuritis (3), retinal vasculitis (1) and Argyll-Robertson pupil (1). Cerebrospinal fluid VDRL test was positive in 6 patients and 3 patients were HIV (+). Conclusions: Syphilis is able to display diverse ophthalmologic manifestations. Not in all the cases the CSF-VDRL test was positive. Antitreponemal therapy generates a fast and effective response in the affected patients.

Introducción: Las manifestaciones oculares de los pacientes con sífilis pueden comprometer cualquiera de las estructuras del ojo. Objetivos: Describir diez nuevos casos de sífilis con compromiso ocular y realizar una breve discusión de su manejo y tratamiento. Pacientes y Métodos: Se estudiaron, de forma retrospectiva, diez casos en un período de 13 años. Se evaluaron factores demográficos, exámenes oftalmológico y de laboratorio. Resultados: De los diez casos, 7 eran hombres y 3 mujeres. El promedio de edad fue de 39,7 años. Las presentaciones fueron: panuveítis (n: 6), neuritis óptica (n: 3), vasculitis retinal (n: 1) y pupila de Argyll-Robertson (n: 1). Se obtuvo VDRL (+) en líquido cefalorraquídeo en 6 pacientes y serología para VIH (+) en 3 pacientes. Conclusiones: La sífilis puede producir variadas manifestaciones oftalmológicas. No en todos los casos el VDRL resultó positivo en el LCR. El tratamiento anti-treponémico produce una rápida y efectiva respuesta en los pacientes afectados.

A Case of Vitritis as the Primary Manifestation without Retinitis in Ocular Syphilis with AIDS

PURPOSE: We report a patient of ocular syphilis with acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) who showed dense vitritis as the primary manifestation without signs of retinitis, and who underwent pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: A 65-year-old man known to have AIDS complaining of decreased vision in both eyes, was transferred for suspected CMV retinitis. Visual acuity was 0.2 in the right eye and 0.4 in the left eye. Ganciclovir was prescribed intravenously for 10 days and orally thereafter. After 2 months, the visual acuity of both eyes decreased to hand motion. As additional serologic tests such as TPHA and FTA-ABS were positive for syphilis, 5 MU of penicillin G was injected intravenously four times a day for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Although active inflammation decreased with the antibiotic treatment, vitreous opacity persisted. Visual acuity was counting fingers in the right eye and 0.02 in the left eye. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on the right eye. Analysis of the aspirated vitreous disclosed a VDRL titer of 1:8, and that TPHA was positive while PCR for CMV was negative. One month after the operation, the patient's visual acuity had improved to 0.6. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular syphilis should be considered in AIDS patient showing dense vitritis as primary manifestation. Pars plana vitrectomy may be an option for early visual restoration of these patients.