title: Simultaneous bilateral exudative retinal detachment and peripheral necrotizing retinitis as presenting manifestations of concurrent HIV and syphilis infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an unusual case of simultaneous bilateral exudative retinal detachment and peripheral necrotizing retinitis as presenting manifestations of concurrent HIV and syphilis infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A previously healthy 35-year-old Caucasian male was first seen for bilateral sudden visual loss. Ophthalmoscopy showed bilateral exudative retinal detachment involving the posterior pole and a placoid-like area of peripheral necrotizing retinitis in his left eye. Physical examination revealed anal condylomata and aphthous oral lesions. Laboratory investigations confirmed the diagnosis of concurrent HIV and syphilis infection. Ocular lesions resolved in response to anti-syphilitic medication administered for three weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates the importance of considering syphilis as a cause of atypical retinitis in the HIV-positive population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and Ocular Inflammation Unit, Hospital General de Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Díaz-Valle
authors.forename: Daniel Pascual
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Angel Arteaga
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Carlos Barros
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Aguado
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Benítez Del Castillo
authors.forename: M Jesús Fernández
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aceñero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis
chemical_list: D002308:Cardiolipins; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C054448:VDRL antigen; D002784:Cholesterol