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Review
. 2023 May;64(2):e168-e170.
doi: 10.1111/ajd.14003. Epub 2023 Feb 10.

Grouped follicular secondary syphilis: Case report and review of literature

Affiliations
Review

Grouped follicular secondary syphilis: Case report and review of literature

Ryan C Saal et al. Australas J Dermatol. 2023 May.

Abstract

Secondary syphilis typically presents with macular, maculopapular or papular lesions, sometimes with systemic symptoms; however, there are some less common cutaneous presentations which can result in several differential diagnoses. We report the case of a 25-year-old man with the recent onset of a symmetric eruption of grouped follicular papules, for which syphilis was not originally considered. Histopathology revealed non-caseating granulomas with a lichenoid infiltrate. Subsequent spirochete immunostaining was positive, and further physical examination revealed moth-eaten alopecia, confirming the diagnosis of secondary syphilis.

Keywords: alopecia; follicular; immunostaining; moth-eaten; spirochete; syphilis.

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References

REFERENCES

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