Lues maligna in early HIV infection case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Lues maligna (also known as malignant syphilis or ulceronodular syphilis) is a rare dermatologic manifestation of syphilis more commonly seen in patients with HIV infection. The classic lesion of lues maligna is an oval, papulopustular skin lesion with well demarcated borders sometimes covered with a lamellar crust, but myriad clinical presentations of this disease also exist.


OBJECTIVE
To report a presentation of lues maligna in a patient with probable early HIV infection, emphasizing the diagnostic criteria and clinical manifestations of lues maligna.


METHODS
Case report of lues maligna in a patient with probable early HIV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
As syphilis becomes more common in many developed regions, it is important to recognize even atypical presentations of this clinical entity, especially among individuals who have unrecognized or early HIV infection.
Tucker
Joseph D
JD
Division of Infection Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, GRJ 504, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jtucker4@partners.org
Shah
Sonali
S
Jarell
Abel D
AD
Tsai
Kenneth Y
KY
Zembowicz
Artur
A
Kroshinsky
Daniela
D
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D013591:Syphilis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014210:Treponema pallidum