Clinical case of seroconversion for syphilis following a needlestick injury: why not take a prophylaxis?
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.
Franco
Alfredo
A
Infectious Diseases Hospital D. Cotugno, Naples, Italy.
Aprea
Lucia
L
Dell'Isola
Chiara
C
Faella
Francesco Saverio
FS
Felaco
Francesca Maria
FM
Manzillo
Elio
E
Martucci
Fiorella
F
Pizzella
Teresa
T
Sansone
Matilde
M
Simioli
Francesco
F
Simioli
Stefania
S
Izzo
Crescenzo Maria
CM
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*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000993:Antitreponemal Agents