Grouped follicular secondary syphilis: Case report and review of literature
- PMID: 36762886
- DOI: 10.1111/ajd.14003
Grouped follicular secondary syphilis: Case report and review of literature
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.
© 2023 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College of Dermatologists.
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