Atypical behavioral and psychiatric symptoms: neurosyphilis should always be considered

Abstract

Syphilis still remains a major health concern worldwide because of the possibility of serious medical and psychological consequences, long-term disability, and death. Neurosyphilis (NS) may occur at any stage of infection. Its clinical presentation has been changing over recent years including psychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms. Several recent studies have described cases with these symptoms as the principal signs of NS. We present the case of neurosyphilis with a psychiatric presentation characterized by mood disturbance and auditory and visual hallucinations.

Keywords

• Neurosyphilis
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Diagnosis
• Cerebrospinal fluid