[Latent syphilis]. / Maskierte Syphilis

The wide use of penicillin and of other treponemacide antibiotics levels often to the treatment of patients with early-syphilis without knowing it. So the typical appearance of syphilis may be masked and the development of the classic serologic changes may be disturbed. From 1963 to 1974 569 cases of early-syphilis were treated as inpatients of the University clinic of Innsbruck, Department of Dermatology, 15% had proved and 20% had probable antibiotic therapy before syphilis was diagnosed. The influence on the course of disease due to treatment before noting the diagnosis is discussed by the means of own observations and reports in the literature. An attempt is made to explain the striking increase of symptomless early-syphilis.

[Lipoatrophia semicircularis (author's transl)]. / Lipoatrophia semicircularis

11 young women were seen in the span of 2 years at the Department of Dermatology, University of Innsbruck, with dents of a very similar appearance on the extensor aspect of their thighs. These dents are characterized by their band-like circular localization and isolated atrophy of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. These changes are considered to be a distinct disease, termed lipoatrophia semicircularis. A differentiation from other diseases with atrophy of the subcutaneous fat, especially lipoatrophia annularis may be obtained on the basis of the clinical symptoms, histology and the course of disease. Possible causes and the pathogenesis of this disease are discussed.