A STUDY ON CLINICAL, SEROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SECONDARY SYPHILIS PATIENTS AT CAN THO HOSPITAL OF DERMATO-VENEROLOGY IN 2021

Abstract

Background: Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Classically, syphilis is classified into 4 stages including primary, secondary, latent and tertiary syphilis. Many of its manifestations are cutaneous, making it of interest and importance to dermatologists, especially as morbidity from syphilis rises in the developed world and continues in the developing world. Objectives: 1). To describe the clinical characteristics of secondary syphilis patients at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology in 2021; 2). Todescribe the serological characteristics of secondary syphilis patients at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology in 2021. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 52 secondary syphilis patients who were treated at Can Tho Hospital of Dermato-Venereology. Results: Lesions of macules, papules, pustules, scales, mucous patches were 73.1%, 55.8%, 0%, 23.1%, 11.5%, 7.7%, respectively. The highest percentage of sites was on the palms and/or soles with 86.5%. Serum RPR titer had the highest rate was R256, accounting for 57.7%, most of the patients had serum TPHA titer of R1280, accounting for 73.8%. Conclusions: Secondary syphilis patients have a variety of clinical manifestations and affected sites, most of serum PRP and TPHA titers are usually high with values of R256 and R1280, respectively.