title: Asymptomatic neurosyphilis after doxycycline therapy for early latent syphilis.
abstract: A 50-year-old woman allergic to penicillin with early latent syphilis was treated with two courses of doxycycline. Ten months after diagnosis, she had no evidence of serologic response. A lumbar puncture demonstrated asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Penicillin desensitization was performed and she was successfully treated. This case re-emphasizes the need for close serologic follow-up in patients with latent syphilis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zenilman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rand
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barditch
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rompalo
mesh_terms: D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D004318:Doxycycline