title: Unusual manifestations of secondary syphilis occurring after orthotopic liver transplantation.
abstract: A 48-year-old actively homosexual man who had undergone liver transplantation for cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B infection six years previously presented with a syndrome of diffuse pain, cholestasis, and low-grade fever. The development of thrombocytopenia and persistent hypoprothrombinemia precluded liver biopsy. Subsequently, a skin eruption and VDRL result of 1:128 indicated that most of the findings could be explained by a diagnosis of secondary syphilis with luetic hepatitis and periostitis. This impression was confirmed by a complete response to penicillin therapy. The relation of thrombocytopenia to lues in this case remains uncertain.
mesh_terms: D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007020:Hypoprothrombinemias / Q000209:etiology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010522:Periostitis / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins