Syphilis - tertiary

Alternative names:

late syphilis; tertiary syphilis

Symptoms:

Symptoms of tertiary syphilis are dependent on which organ systems have been affected. These symptoms may vary widely and are difficult to diagnose. In individuals with tertiary syphilis the primary and secondary stages of syphilis usually have long ago been forgotten. Medical findings of aortic aneurysms and neurological problems require astute diagnostic ability to link them to syphilis. Some of the symptomatic problems are listed below.

• infiltrative tumors of skin, bones, or liver (gumma)
• cardiovascular syphilis which affecting the aorta and causing aneurysms or valve disease
• central nervous system disorders described in neurosyphilis

Signs and tests:

• VDRL
• FTA-ABS fluorescent treponemal antibody test
• RPR
• spinal fluid examination