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The great imitator revisited: the spectrum of atypical cutaneous manifestations of secondary syphilis
Author(s) -
Balagula Yevgeniy,
Mattei Peter L.,
Wisco Oliver J.,
Erdag Gulsun,
Chien Anna L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.12518
Subject(s) - medicine , syphilis , chancre , dermatology , population , incidence (geometry) , primary syphilis , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , secondary syphilis , broad spectrum , chemistry , physics , environmental health , optics , combinatorial chemistry
Abstract Syphilis is a well‐known sexually transmitted infection infamous for its protean cutaneous manifestations. Over the last decade, the rate of infection in the USA has risen, particularly among human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV )‐infected individuals and certain ethnic groups. Although the primary chancre developing at the site of inoculation usually has typical and well‐characterized features, cutaneous manifestations of secondary syphilis span a wide spectrum and mimic those of other dermatoses. This may be particularly evident in patients with HIV . Such deviations from the expected typical papulosquamous eruption may present a diagnostic challenge and delay diagnosis and therapy. Given the increasing incidence of syphilis among the immunosuppressed patient population, recognition of atypical cutaneous manifestations is critical for adequate management. We review a range of cutaneous manifestations of secondary syphilis and the skin diseases it may mimic.