Syphilitic acute posterior placoid chorioretinitis in nonimmuno-compromised patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical and angiographic features of three cases of secondary syphilis in immunocompetent patients, which presented as acute posterior placoid chorioretinitis (APPC) to the ophthalmologist.


METHODS
Interventional case series. The aetiology of the APPC was confirmed by serology to be secondary syphilis. Optical coherence tomography, electrophysiology, fundus fluorescein, and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography were performed at presentation and after resolution. Appropriate treatment for secondary syphilis was instituted in each patient.


RESULTS
The clinical features, fundus fluorescein and ICG angiography, multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and optical coherence tomography findings of APPC are described. All three patients had a satisfactory resolution of the APPC with improvement in visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
APPC in secondary syphilis can occur even in immunocompetent patients. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis of this condition resulting in a good visual outcome with adequate treatment. mfERG and optical coherence tomography are useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.
Joseph
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, B Floor, Eye ENT Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Clifton Blvd, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
Rogers
S
S
Browning
A
A
Hall
N
N
Barber
C
C
Lotery
A
A
Foley
E
E
Amoaku
W M
WM
D000328:Adult; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity