title: Clinical case of seroconversion for syphilis following a needlestick injury: why not take a prophylaxis?
abstract: A 47-year-old woman was pricked accidentally with a needle previously used for a neurosyphilitic man. At day 0 she had no positive laboratory results for the infection, while the source, at day 1, had TPHA positive, but no post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against syphilis was prescribed. The subject missed the day 30 follow-up, and underwent our visit at day 90, when she showed no clinical signs, but she seroconverted (VDRL = positive 1/2; TPHA = positive 1/320; FTA-Abs IgG and IgM = present). She started antibiotic therapy, and currently her serological status is VDRL = positive 1/2, TPHA = positive 1/160, FTA-Abs IgM = negative.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Hospital D. Cotugno, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aprea
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dell'Isola
authors.forename: Francesco Saverio
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Faella
authors.forename: Francesca Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Felaco
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manzillo
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martucci
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pizzella
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sansone
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Simioli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simioli
authors.forename: Crescenzo Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Izzo
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000993:Antitreponemal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000993:Antitreponemal Agents