Neurosyphilis cerebrospinal fluid findings in patients with ocular syphilis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate neurosyphilis cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and initial ophthalmic manifestations in patients with syphilitic uveitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of CSF analysis of 14 patients with syphilitic uveitis with treponemal analysis - chemiluminescent immunoassay and TPHA- and non-treponemal analysis - Rapid Plasma Reagin test – RPR.

Results: 86% were males and 43% HIV+. Ocular signs of syphilis lead to the diagnosis of syphilis in 78% of patients. Typical syphilitic uveitis presentations included: acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (50% of patients), retinitis (21% of patients) and punctate inner retinitis (7% of patients). 57% of patients had definite neurosyphilis by the CDC criteria, while 71% had CSF abnormalities suggestive of central nervous system involvement.

Conclusion: Based on international guidelines, the frequent CSF abnormalities found in syphilitic uveitis patient supports the diagnosis of neurosyphilis in a majority of patients.

Keywords:

• Cerebrospinal fluid
• lumbar puncture
• neurosyphilis
• ocular syphilis
• uveitis

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Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.