Syphilitic aseptic meningitis

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Central nervous system

Meningitis - syphilitic

• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Neck pain
• Stiffness of shoulders, other muscle aches
• Fever
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Sensitivity to loud noises
• Mental status changes
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
  • Decreased attention span
  • Irritability
  • Sleepy, lethargic, hard to arouse
• Changes in vision , blurred vision , decreased vision
• Seizures

An examination may indicate meningitis. Focal neurologic deficits (localized loss of nerve functions) may be present. A neurologic examination may show reduced cranial nerve function, including the nerves that control eye movement.

Tests may include:

• EEG (electroencephalogram) if seizures are present.
• Head CT scan .
• Cerebral angiography if vascular symptoms are present.
• Serum VDRL or serum RPR (used as screening tests to detect syphilis infection) -- if positive, requires one the following to confirm diagnosis:
  • FTA-ABS
  • MHA-TP
• CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination

Review Date: 08/08/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.