Case of secondary syphilis presenting with unusual complications: syphilitic proctitis, gastritis, and hepatitis

Abstract

We report the first known case of syphilis with simultaneous manifestations of proctitis, gastritis, and hepatitis. The diagnosis of syphilitic proctitis and gastritis was established by the demonstration of spirochetes with anti-Treponema pallidum antibody staining in biopsy specimens. Unusual manifestations of secondary syphilis completely resolved after 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy.

Fig. 1.

(A) Sigmoidoscopy findings indicating multiple chancres and indurated nodular mucosa located on the wall of the lower rectum. (B) Barium enema results showing circumferential thickening of the lower rectal wall and multiple nodular mucosa.

Fig. 2.

(A) Gastroscopic findings demonstrating multiple erosive lesions in the whole gastric mucosa (indigo carmine dye contrast). (B) A gastric biopsy specimen with antibody staining showing numerous brown stained spirochetes (arrow) in the interstitium (Treponema pallidum polyclonal antibody stain). Magnification, ×400.