Syphilitic episcleritis and scleritis.
We screened patients with episcleritis or scleritis to detect syphilis by using either fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption testing or microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum. Four patients, two with nodular episcleritis and two with scleritis, had ocular involvement as the initial manifestation of late syphilis. Topical or oral corticosteroid therapy provided minimal initial clinical benefit, but ocular inflammation resolved within one to three weeks after administration of systemic penicillin.
Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
K R
KR
Wilhelmus
C M
CM
Yokoyama
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine