Neurosyphilis

Abstract

We describe the case of a young woman with a rapid deterioration in her cognitive status and physical functioning. An extensive laboratory and radiologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. Despite the reemergence of syphilis with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, neurosyphilis is often neglected in the differential diagnosis of patients with aseptic meningitis and mental status changes who are negative for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The high mortality rateassociated with delay in recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of neurosyphilis obligates its inclusion in the differential of young patients with cognitive decline.