Neurosyphilis Presenting with Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus

ABSTRACT

Neurosyphilis is an infectious disease of the central nervous system caused by Treponema pallidum spirochete. There are several case reports on atypical manifestations of neurosyphilis, involving progressive cognitive dysfunction and seizures similar to those in herpes encephalitis. Seizures are common in patients with neurosyphilis, but they are usually associated with a positive Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction and status epilepticus is atypical as an initial manifestation of neurosyphilis. Here, we report on neurosyphilis patient whose initial symptom was nonconversive status epilepticus.