title: Unusual central chorioretinitis as the first manifestation of early secondary syphilis.
abstract: Three young, otherwise healthy patients had a similar picture of unilateral central chorioretinitis associated with severe visual loss. Fluorescein angiography disclosed diffuse leakage under the neurosensory retina in the posterior pole, associated with multifocal areas of staining along the retinal vessels. Systemic examination showed a positive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test and a sharp increase in VDRL titers, indicative of active secondary syphilis. The patients responded dramatically to penicillin treatment, with visual recovery and resolution of the fundus lesions.
authors.affiliation: Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Jalkh
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Trempe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Schepens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine