A large ulcer and cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis associated with syphilis infection.
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.
Chao
Y-C
YC
Section of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
C-H
CH
Chen
Y-K
YK
Chou
C-T
CT
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
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial