Ocular syphilis.
The ability of syphilis to mimic different ocular disorders can lead to misdiagnosis and delay in appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The authors describe their experience over the past 5 years with the ocular manifestations of syphilis in 25 patients who comprised 2.45% of 1020 new patients. Uveitis was the most common ocular manifestation seen. All patients had positive results from FTA-ABS tests, whereas only 68% had reactive serum VDRLs. Two of five patients tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody were reactive. The authors recommend routine FTA-ABS and VDRL screening in patients with uveitis or unexplained ocular inflammation. They also recommend testing for HIV antibody in luetics and aggressive treatment with high-dose aqueous penicillin for syphilis.
Tamesis
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Immunology and Uveitis Service, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114.
Foster
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CS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015423:Scleritis / Q000209:etiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D014605:Uveitis / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D010406:Penicillins