Secondary Syphilis mimicking palmoplantar pustular Psoriasis: an unusual clinical presentation

ABSTRACT

A 38 year old Pakistani man presented with multiple, red, raised, pustular and scaly asymptomatic lesions on the palms and soles of 3 months duration. His past medical history was unremarkable. On physical examination he had multiple, symmetrically distributed erythematous plaques with well-delineated margins surmounted by pustules and scales on the palms and soles. There was paronychia around the fingernails involving nearly all the digits of the hands. Detailed examination also revealed hyperkeratotic lesions in the beard area, skin coloured papules concentrated around the nostrils and the angles of the mouth. There were mucous patches on the tongue and inner aspect of lips. Anogenital examination showed perianal condylomas with no genital erosion, ulceration or old scar mark. His vital signs were within normal limits and systemic examination did not reveal any abnormality. Biopsy finding from a scaly, erythematous plaque was consistent with syphilis i.e. perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells with endarteritis obliterans. The second specimen from a pustular lesion showed localized epidermal accumulation of numerous neutrophils, lymphocytes and karyorrhectic debris. There was some overlying hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis alongwith lengthening of rete ridges with dilated, tortuous dermal capillaries. This picture was consistent with pustular psoriasis. The patient`s venereal disease research laboratory [VDRL] test and trepenoma pallidus h aemogbulination [TPHA] were positive in titers of 116 and 1320 respectively. She was found to have mucous patches in the mouth and had positive serology for syphilis. Both husband and wife were treated with injection Benzyl Penicillin 10 lacs I.0 i.v 6 hourly for 2 weeks and they responded well to treatment. They were advised 3 monthly follow-up in the first year and then at 18th and 24th months. Six months after treatment the patient was symptom-free with a positive VDRL in a low titre of 12