title: A large ulcer and cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis associated with syphilis infection.
abstract: Cutaneous vasculitis (CV) is a condition with cutaneous manifestations and possible systemic involvement. The causative factors or associated diseases are usually drugs, infection, collagen vascular disease, or malignancy. Syphilis as a cause of cutaneous vasculitis is rare. We report the case of a large cutaneous ulcer and small-vessel vasculitis associated with syphilis infection. We suggest that in apparently idiopathic CV or a chronic ulcer refractory to treatment, screening should be performed to detect any underlying infection such as syphilis. It is important to have a rapid and accurate diagnosis because the lesions are very contagious, but may be rapidly and completely cured by early administration of antibiotic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Section of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: C-H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y-K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C-T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013591:Syphilis, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial