Gastric syphilis: a disease with multiple manifestations

Abstract

The resurgence of syphilis in the United States is effecting all areas of medical care. We describe a young female presenting with symptoms of peptic ulcer disease who failed to respond to H2-receptor antagonist therapy. After further evaluation, she was diagnosed with gastric syphilis and responded well to penicillin. Because gastric syphilis has no pathognomonic clinical findings, the clinician needs to be aware of this disease entity so as to make the correct diagnosis and institute the appropriate antibiotic therapy.