Combined Intravitreal and Systemic Antibiotic Therapy in a Patient with Syphilitic Uveitis

Purpose: To report the novel use of combined intravitreal and systemic antibiotic therapy in a patient with syphilitic panuveitis and discuss the management of ocular syphilis.

Methods: Case report

Results: A 45-year old heterosexual male with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with 1 month of blurry vision in both eyes. Clinical examination revealed a bilateral panuveitis. The patient denied history of genital lesions or rash, but did complain of difficulty hearing bilaterally. Treponemal EIA was positive, the RPR titer greater than 1:512 dilution, and CSF VDRL 1:4. A diagnosis of neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis was made based on the clinical and laboratory findings. The patient was admitted for systemic intravenous antibiotic therapy, but was noted to have a penicillin allergy. Intravitreal ceftazidime was promptly administered bilaterally to achieve treponemacidal levels of antibiotic therapy. After penicillin desensitization protocol, the patient received 14 days of intravenous penicillin with clinical resolution.

Conclusions: There are increasing reports of ocular syphilis in the United States and delay in diagnosis and management can lead to severe visual impairment and blindness. We report the first case of adjunct intravitreal antibiotic therapy in a penicillin allergic patient. As ocular syphilis is a form of bacterial endophthalmitis, combination intravitreal and systemic antibiotics may be considered.     

Syphilis: Understanding Traditional and Reverse Screening Algorithms

Interpreting syphilis screening tests can be a challenge for health care providers. Clinical laboratories primarily use the reverse algorithm to screen for syphilis; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the traditional algorithm. Both algorithms require the interpretation of 2 different serologic assays for screening and confirmation. Serologic testing used in both algorithms is reviewed for nurse practitioners to correctly interpret test results to establish a timely diagnosis and provide stage-appropriate treatment.     

Syphilis in pregnancy

The incidence of syphilis is rising in the UK and more cases of syphilis in pregnancy are being reported. Mother to child transmission of syphilis can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage, still birth, neonatal death, low birthweight, preterm birth and congenital anomalies. These adverse outcomes can be prevented by early diagnosis and prompt treatment of syphilis in pregnancy. This article provides an overview of the condition and focuses on the management during pregnancy.     

Sífilis ocular imitando una retinopatía oculta externa zonal aguda (AZOOR)

Ocular syphilis can simulate various ophthalmic pathologies with multiple possible ophthalmic findings. Timely treatment of these patients can minimize visual damage, but its diagnosis is often a challenge for the ophthalmologist.We review a case report of a 45-year-old man with a rare and atypical clinical presentation of ocular syphilis, its clinical and imaging characteristics, its diagnosis, treatment and evolution. The patient presented with bilateral painless loss of vision, photopsia and peripheral scotomas with about 1 week evolution. There were no signs of ocular inflammation. The complementary ophthalmic study revealed an acute zonal occult outer retinopathy-like (“AZOOR-like”) presentation.Ocular syphilis does not always present with ocular inflammation and its presentation as “AZOOR-like” is very rare. So, we should always maintain a high index of suspicion for this condition, as early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a better prognosis.     

Immunoblot and Polymerase Chain Reaction to Diagnose Ocular Syphilis and Neurosyphilis in HIV-positive and HIV-negative Patients

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate immunoblot (IB) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to diagnose ocular- and neurosyphilis.

Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Aqueous humor (AH) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were tested for treponemal DNA or antibodies to treponemal antigens.

Results: Thirteen of 106 cases had positive syphilis serology of which 69.2% were HIV+ (median CD4+ = 181 cells/µL). Four cases met CDC criteria for neurosyphilis (3 confirmed, 1 probable) and 2 additional cases required neurosyphilis treatment according to UpToDate algorithms. All AH and CSF samples tested PCR negative. Five cases were CSF IB+ and 3 cases AH IB+. Using our classification, eight patients had confirmed neurosyphilis, one had probable neurosyphilis, three had confirmed ocular syphilis and nine had probable ocular syphilis.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IB of AH and CSF provides additional evidence to diagnose ocular and neurosyphilis and allows us to classify them as probable or confirmed.     

Administration of intravenous benzylpenicillin in 13 infants born to mothers with syphilis infection: A case series

The incidence of syphilis infection among pregnant women is persistently high in Japan and in several developed countries. Here, we report the utility of intravenous benzylpenicillin in 13 infants born to mothers with syphilis infection. Because the recommended treatment (intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin) is not available in Japan, we intravenously administered benzylpenicillin for 10 days, which is used for treatment in high-risk cases. The administration of benzylpenicillin in low-risk infants resulted in an extended duration of parent-to-infant separation and increased the infants’ exposure to invasive procedures. Thus, establishing evidence of the adequacy of no-treatment follow-up in low-risk groups and introducing intramuscular injections of benzathine benzylpenicillin may improve the management of infants suspected with congenital syphilis in Japan.     

2011-2016年山东省梅毒流行特征及发病趋势分析

目的 分析2011-2016年山东省梅毒的流行特征,为预防梅毒的传播提供科学依据。 方法 收集山东省2011-2016年通过中国疾病预防控制信息系统上报的梅毒数据。采用描述流行病学的方法对梅毒的流行特征进行分析。 结果 2011-2016年山东省梅毒的平均年发病率为14.45/10万,时间上呈不断上升趋势(χ²_趋势=31.532,P<0.001),由2011年的8.56/10万,上升至2016年的19.75/10万,上升130.72%。山东省梅毒的构成以隐性梅毒为主,占43.07%。女性梅毒的发病率(14.86/10万)明显高于男性(13.74/10万),差异有统计学意义(χ² =36.348, P<0.001)。以35岁~年龄组为峰值,发病率最高,为23.66/10万。25~<55岁是山东省梅毒的高发年龄,发病率在14.97/10万以上。青岛、威海、烟台梅毒的发病率居全省前三位,分别为16.41/10万、15.24/10万、14.98/10万。梅毒职业分布以农民为主,占32.22%。 结论 2011-2016年山东省梅毒发病率增长迅速,控制形势仍然十分严峻。加强大众梅毒知识宣教,普及梅毒血清学筛查,对进一步降低山东省梅毒的流行具有重要意义。