2000 Volume 62 Issue 2 Pages 210-213
A case of malignant syphilis in a 40-year-old male is herein described. He exhibited papular lesions all over his body for two weeks. The eruptions progressed with the formation of pustules and crusted ulcers. He also demonstrated symptoms of fever, general fatigue, and weight loss. His CD4(+) T cell count in the peripheral blood decreased to 65/μl, and serological tests for both HIV and syphilis infections were positive. Spirochaetas were demonstrated in the exudate from the lesions based on the findings of Parker Q ink staining. Malignant syphilis is predicted to become more common due to the increasing incidence of HIV infection. As a result, malignant syphilis should therefore be considered as one of the cutaneous markers of HIV infection.
