[Histological features of cutaneous secondary syphilitic lesions: a report of two cases].
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease, which currently shows a high increase of incidence in HIV negative patients. These patients often seek medical advice at a stage of secondary syphilis, as the lesions of the primary phase may pass unperceived. Very often, the diagnosis is evoked through a cutaneous biopsy, since the clinical presentation is often misleading. Even though the histological signs are not specific, they may suggest the diagnosis, by showing a psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia with neutrophil exocytosis and a dermal lichenoid infiltrate rich in plasma cells. However, it is important to underline the great polymorphism of these lesions, which can easily vary according to the stage and /or clinical form. It's very important to have a quick and accurate diagnosis, because the lesions are very contagious, but rapidly and completely cured by an early administrated antibiotic treatment.
Vasiliu
Viorel
V
Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris. viorel.vasiliu@nck.ap-hop-paris.fr
Fraitag
Sylvie
S
Brousse
Nicole
N
D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013591:Syphilis, Cutaneous / Q000473:pathology*
D004396:Coloring Agents