SYPHILITIC STILLBIRTH WITHOUT SIGNS OF LU ES ACTIVITY IN THE MATERNALSCREENING SEROLOGY

Syphilitic stillbirth at 30 weeks of gestation was observed in an 18-y ear-old primigravida. At 22 weeks of gestation routine maternal screen ing revealed syphilis-specific antibodies for the first time, whereas IgM and cardiolipin flocculation test were negative. There were no cli nical signs of active syphilis. The patient was not treated with penic illin. Multiple internal organs of the macerated fetus were teeming wi th spirochetes pointing to a massive infection, as observed with secon dary maternal syphilis. A concurrent acute hepatitis B infection occur red during the first 20 weeks of gestation, but there was no serologic al evidence of vertical transmission to the fetus.