Lues and lupus: syphilis mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Malar rash and photosensitivity are common findings in systemic lupus eryth ematosus (SLE). However, a number of inflammatory, dermatologic, infectious or drug-induced conditions may mimic cutaneous findings of SLE. These typi cally include seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, rosacea, polymorph ous light eruption, syphilis and dermatomyositis sine myositis. Herein we d escribe a patient with fever, malar rash, alopecia, photosensitivity, arthr algias and lymphadenopathy who was subsequently diagnosed with secondary sy philis. In this case report we review clinical and histopathological findin gs in the differential diagnosis of malar rash and photosensitivity and dis cuss the overlapping features of syphilis and SLE.