title: Secondary syphilis: a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: A 59-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes and a left nephrectomy following trauma reported of malaise and weakness. He reported a penile ulcer 2 months earlier, but there had been no lymphadenopathy or fever. His speech was slurred, he was breathless on minimal exertion and there was ankle swelling. Twenty-four hours later he developed a generalised maculopapular rash. Laboratory investigation confirmed syphilis and nephrotic syndrome. He was treated with a single injection of benzylpenicillin following which there was a rapid and complete recovery. The temporal association and improvement with treatment suggest that syphilis caused his illness. The incidence of syphilis is increasing and doctors should remain alert to syphilis as a possible cause of the nephrotic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Margarida
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Setúbal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ermelinda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pedroso
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G