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Case Reports
. 2009 Apr;20(4):278-84.
doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2008.008324.

Syphilitic hepatitis among HIV-infected patients

N Crum-Cianflone  1 , J Weekes, M Bavaro
Affiliations
Case Reports

Syphilitic hepatitis among HIV-infected patients

N Crum-Cianflone et al. Int J STD AIDS. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Syphilis is an important public health issue and continues to occur at high rates among HIV-infected patients. Although abnormal liver function tests are common among HIV-infected persons, the incidence of syphilitic hepatitis in this population is currently unknown. We present two cases of syphilitic hepatitis and performed a retrospective study to determine the incidence of hepatitis during early syphilis infections among HIV-infected persons. Our study showed that syphilitic hepatitis is common, occurring in 38% (12/32) of HIV-positive patients with early stages of syphilis infection. Most cases occurred during secondary syphilis, with the most common finding being a maculopapular rash. Syphilis should be included in the differential diagnosis of HIV patients presenting with liver test abnormalities, rash and/or sexual risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The opinions or ascertains contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Departments of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, or the Department of Defense. The authors have no commercial or other association that might pose a conflict of interest in this work.

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