Blurry Diagnosis of Ocular Syphilis

Abstract

The incidence of syphilis is on the rise worldwide which may be due to increased diagnosis.Given the wide variety of presenting symptoms, syphilis can pose many diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties for doctors. In turn, these difficulties frequently leadto a noticeable delay in patient care. Here we present a case of ocular syphilis in ahomosexual male patientpresenting with uveitis with no prior symptoms except for an itchy rash in the pelvic area. The patient was treated with IV penicillin after which full vision was restored. By presenting this case, we hope to stress the importance of adding syphilis in the differential diagnosis of men who have sex with men (MSM)who present with otherwise unexplained rash and/or uveitis.