Syphilitic meningitis in HIV-patients with meningeal syndrome: report of two cases and review

ABSTRACT

Few patients with symptomatic neurosyphilis present with signs and symptoms of acute meningitis. Here we report cases of syphilitic meningitis diagnosed in HIV patients with meningeal syndrome. The first case, a 30-year-old black bisexxual male, had concurrent meningeal and ocular syphilis with persistent unusually low CSF glucose levels. He responded well to 21 days of intravenous penicillin therapy. The second case was a 55-year-old female with epilepsy, depression, behavioral disorder and confusion. The diagnosis of HIV infection was made after onset of the syphilitic meningitis. She was treated with 21 days i.v. penicillin with improvement in her clinical condition. The clinical aspects of combined neurosyphilis and HIV infection, plus special features of diagnosis and treatment are discussed.