INFECTIOUS SYPHILIS

Optimistic predictions about the extinction of syphilis have proven to be premature. During the beginning of the decade, the reported number s of infectious syphilis cases were the highest in 40 years. Despite n umerous publications about syphilis, the disease continues to challeng e clinicians with its protean cutaneous and systemic manifestations. C o-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus does not appear to s ignificantly influence the stage at presentation, clinical course or s erologic positivity in most patients, but coinfected patients may be a t risk of developing neurosyphilis and late complications even after a dministration of adequate treatment. Copyright (C) 1994 hy W.B. Saunde rs Company