Acute Nephrotic Syndrome and Otosyphilis

Abstract

Syphilis, also known as the "the great masquerader," is a re-emerging infectious disease in the Western world, and may present with various signs and symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish from other diseases. Nephrotic syndrome due to syphilis has been rarely reported in modern times. Here, we describe a young male with acute hearing loss and peripheral edema, found to have acute nephrotic syndrome in the setting of otosyphilis. Given increasing incidence of syphilis, physicians must remain alert to syphilis as a possible cause of nephrotic syndrome.

Keywords: membranous glomerulonephritis; nephrotic syndrome; neurosyphilis; otosyphilis; syphilis.