Hypovolemic Shock Due to Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding Secondary to Primary Rectal Syphilitic Ulcer. Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, it has a well-defined course with several stages throughout its natural history ranging from primary to tertiary. Rectal syphilis is a rare syphilis presentation and can occur in both primary and secondary syphilis, either in a syphilitic ulcer or proctitis. It's generally doesn't have symptoms, however it can cause rectal bleeding that in most cases tends to be self-limiting. The diagnosis is established when it's possible with direct observation studies; However, in cases of concomitant contamination by spirochetes of the usual rectal flora, the sensibility and specificity of direct observation tests decreases, so the diagnosis requires an adequate clinical, serological and, if necessary, histopathological correlation. The treatment and follow-up is the same as in other syphilis types and depends on the time of evolution and specific conditions of the patient in question. We present the case of a male patient with primary rectal syphilis that during his course triggered a state of hypovolemic shock secondary to massive rectal bleeding.