The great imitator: dermatologic features related to T. pallidum infection, a narrative review of the literature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29176/2590843X.1695Keywords:
Chancres, Cutaneous syphilis, Latent syphilis, Sexually transmitted diseases, Syphilis, Treponema pallidumAbstract
Introduction: syphilis is caused by T. pallidum, a sexually transmitted infection. Its main manifestations occur early at the dermatological level with numerous findings, the vast majority nonspecific.
Methods: Information was searched in Pubmed/Medline, ScienceDirect, JAMA and SciELO. 185 references were acquired, of which 65 were selected, to finally condense the information as a narrative review of the literature.
Results: The syphilitic chancre is the primary manifestation, however, extragenital manifestations that could go unnoticed are also described. The secondary and tertiary stages include maculopapular outbreaks, plaques and nodular forms, mimicking other dermatoses.
Conclusion: Syphilis is considered the great imitator. Maculopapular eruptions with palmoplantar involvement should always be considered as a differential diagnosis, since if they are allowed to progress, considerable multisystem involvement is generated.
Author Biographies
Luis Daniel Pérez Cáceres, Fundación Universitaria Sanitas, Bogotá D.C.
Médico, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia - UPTC, Tunja Boyacá. Residente de Dermatología, Fundación Universitaria Sanitas, Bogotá D.C.
Miguel Mateo Cuervo, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Médico dermatólogo, Universidad de Antioquia. Hospital Alma Máter de Antioquia. Docente, Universidad de Antioquia.
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