title: A case of secondary syphilis with HIV, resembling borderline lepromatous leprosy.
abstract: We are reporting an unusual case of secondary syphilis, in a homosexual male patient, which resembled borderline lepromatous leprosy, and in whom the diagnosis was considered on clinical grounds. The patient also had concomitant HIV infection, with asymptomatic neurosyphilis. His rapid plasma reagin test was reactive in 1:128 dilution. He improved with three standard, weekly injections of benzathine penicillin, along with 2 g of intravenous ceftriaxone daily for 15 days. This case is being reported to highlight the need for a high index of suspicion in diagnosing unusual cases of secondary syphilis, especially in those with concomitant HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Mohan Zachariah
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Mani
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Bimal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kanish
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Kanwardeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwatra
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Paulina R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatia
keywords: Asymptomatic neurosyphilis; Buschke–Ollendorf sign; HIV; homosexual male; secondary syphilis