Simultaneous bilateral exudative retinal detachment and peripheral necrotizing retinitis as presenting manifestations of concurrent HIV and syphilis infection.
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.
Díaz-Valle
David
D
Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and Ocular Inflammation Unit, Hospital General de Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
Allen
Daniel Pascual
DP
Sánchez
Angel Arteaga
AA
Aguado
Carlos Barros
CB
Benítez Del Castillo
J M
JM
Aceñero
M Jesús Fernández
MJ
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
D002308:Cardiolipins; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C054448:VDRL antigen; D002784:Cholesterol