Treatment of psychiatric symptoms associated with neurosyphilis.
There is currently no consensus on how to manage the psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis, despite the resurgence of this condition. The authors present five cases of neurosyphilis in inpatient psychiatric settings that manifested with predominantly psychiatric symptoms and were appropriately diagnosed and successfully treated with psychotropic medication concurrent with antibiotic therapy. A review of available data reveals that presently there are no specific guidelines to address psychiatric symptomatology in neurosyphilis. The authors see merit in the prudent use of psychotropic medication to achieve symptom stabilization.
Sanchez
Francis M
FM
Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, South Carolina Department of Mental Health, Staff Center C-D, 220 Faison Dr., Columbia, SC 29203, USA. francisgms@yahoo.com
Zisselman
Marc H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs