Overlapping Primary and Secondary Syphilis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Patient

Abstract

ABSTRACT Coinfection between syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) could have varied clinical manifestations. Overlapping of syphilis stages is accounted for 25% of cases, attributable to the defect of the cellular and humoral immune response. We reported 55 years old man who was sexually active since 25 years ago via genito-genital, genito-anal, genito-oral routes, had multiple sexual partners both male and female, seldom used condom, and always being the insertive. Dermatological examination revealed alopecia non-scarring, a painless solitary ulcer on the collum penis, also multiple erythematous macules, patches, and plaques all over the body. Spirochaeta sp. was found from the base of the ulcer with a darkfield microscope. Histopathology examination revealed secondary syphilis lesion. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) 1:16, Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination test (TPHA) reactive, HIV Determine rapid test reactive, and CD4 (Cluster of Differentiation 4) T-cell count 111 cells/ µL. He was treated with a single dose of benzathine penicillin G 2,4 million units intramuscular and antiretroviral drugs. On sixth month evaluation, VDRL was non-reactive, and CD4 T-cell count 325 cells/µL. This case shows that overlapping clinical manifestations of primary and secondary syphilis on HIV patients could occur with a good general condition. Immediate treatment of antibiotics for syphilis and antiretroviral could improve the clinical and serological conditions. Keyword: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, HIV Correspondence: [email protected]

Keywords

• primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, hiv, case report