NEUROSYPHILIS AND HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS (HIV) INFECTION

HIV infected population has a higher incidence of syphilis, being this an independent risk factor for HIV infection. We report 88 HIV infected patients seen during the last three years. Fourteen (16%) had reactive serum VDRL and FTA-ABS and neurosyphilis was diagnosed in six (6.8%). Three had a treponemal uveitis-retinitis, one a meningovascular syphilis and one a secondary syphilis with meningeal and otological involvement. Patients were treated with penicilin 20 million Ul/day for 14 days with good clinical and laboratory response and CSF normalization in those subjected to a second lumbar puncture. It is concluded that neurosyphilis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurological complications of HIV infections