Publication:

Rare presentation of the great imitator: a rare case report

Syphilis is often thought to be a disease of the past, largely eradicated in modern health care; however, the rates are still extremely high in certain populations. The diagnosis of syphilis may be overlooked by primary-care clinicians due to the presence of nonspecific signs and symptoms that may be indistinguishable from other diseases. Left undiagnosed and untreated, life-threatening complications, including hepatitis, stroke, and nervous system damage, may occur particularly in immuno-compromised individuals. We present a case of lues maligna an extremely rare presentation of syphilis.