Granulomatous secondary syphilis: Another diagnostic pitfall for the dermatopathologist.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2023

Abstract

Syphilis is growing ever more prevalent in the United States with its incidence rising every year. Dermatopathologists need to maintain a high index of suspicion to avoid delayed diagnosis of this treatable disease. Accordingly, it is imperative to be aware of its myriad of presentations-including secondary syphilis with granulomatous inflammation. Most cases show aggregations of epithelioid histiocytes associated with plasma cells. Other patterns include an interstitial granuloma-annulare-like pattern, sarcoidal, and tuberculoid pattern. Immunohistochemical stains for Treponema pallidum may be negative, especially in late secondary or tertiary syphilis. We present a case of nodular secondary syphilis with granulomatous inflammation with negative T. pallidum staining.

Volume

50

Issue

3

First Page

209

Last Page

212

ISSN

1600-0560

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

36437794

Department(s)

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Document Type

Article

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