Postoperative inflammation as the presenting sign of latent syphilis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an unusual case of latent syphilis that presented with postoperative inflammation.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A 62-year-old African American woman developed persistent postoperative inflammation following cataract surgery. Despite a regimen of topical corticosteroid, the inflammation did not settle. A uveitic workup indicated that the patient had latent syphilis. She was referred to Infectious Disease and the inflammation resolved with intravenous penicillin.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative inflammation has not previously been reported as the first sign of latent syphilis. This report underscores the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of chronic inflammation, including the postoperative period.
Yeung
Sonia N
SN
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. sonia.y@gmail.com
Blicker
Jeffrey A
JA
Maberley
David A
DA
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013592:Syphilis, Latent / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G