Abstract | BACKGROUND: DESIGN: A retrospective, hospital-based, case series study based on chart review encompassing a 64-month period. SETTING: The study was performed in a large, university-affiliated, public health trust hospital in south Florida. PATIENTS: Forty-six hospitalized patients with neurosyphilis were identified; 13 patients fulfilled Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, Ga) criteria for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS), 11 were HIV seropositive only, and 22 were HIV uninfected. Neurosyphilis was determined by a reactive cerebrospinal fluid VDRL slide test. RESULTS: The HIV-infected patients (both AIDS and HIV-seropositive groups) were younger and more frequently had features of secondary syphilis, such as rash, fever, adenopathy, headache, or meningismus. Significant differences were observed in cerebrospinal fluid measurements when the HIV-infected group was compared with the HIV-uninfected group, including a higher mean white blood cell count in patients with AIDS and a higher mean protein level and a lower mean glucose level in the HIV-infected group. Syphilitic meningitis was more common in HIV-seropositive patients, although the HIV-uninfected patients presented with a greater variety of types of neurosyphilis. Ophthalmic syphilis was observed more frequently in the HIV-infected group. CONCLUSIONS:
|
Authors | D A Katz, J R Berger, R C Duncan |
Journal | Archives of neurology
(Arch Neurol)
Vol. 50
Issue 3
Pg. 243-9
(Mar 1993)
ISSN: 0003-9942 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8442701
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Brain
(diagnostic imaging)
- Eye Diseases
(complications)
- Female
- HIV Infections
(complications, diagnostic imaging)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neurosyphilis
(cerebrospinal fluid, classification, complications, diagnostic imaging)
- Radiography
|