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Hamill M, Ghanem KG, Tuddenham S. Reply to: Cortés-Penfield and Musher. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:1387-1388. [PMID: 37846778 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hamill
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Khalil G Ghanem
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan Tuddenham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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2
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Cortés-Penfield NW, Musher DM. Give Penicillin or Ceftriaxone: Neurosyphilis Does Not Deal in Absolutes. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:1386-1387. [PMID: 37847217 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel M Musher
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Michael E. Debakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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3
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Yang Y, Gu X, Zhu L, Cheng Y, Lu H, Guan Z, Shi M, Ni L, Peng R, Zhao W, Wu J, Qi T, Long F, Chai Z, Gong W, Ye M, Zhou P. Clinical parameter-based prediction model for neurosyphilis risk stratification. Epidemiol Infect 2024; 152:e21. [PMID: 38224151 PMCID: PMC10894895 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268824000074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurately predicting neurosyphilis prior to a lumbar puncture (LP) is critical for the prompt management of neurosyphilis. However, a valid and reliable model for this purpose is still lacking. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for the accurate identification of neurosyphilis in patients with syphilis. The training cohort included 9,504 syphilis patients who underwent initial neurosyphilis evaluation between 2009 and 2020, while the validation cohort comprised 526 patients whose data were prospectively collected from January 2021 to September 2021. Neurosyphilis was observed in 35.8% (3,400/9,504) of the training cohort and 37.6% (198/526) of the validation cohort. The nomogram incorporated factors such as age, male gender, neurological and psychiatric symptoms, serum RPR, a mucous plaque of the larynx and nose, a history of other STD infections, and co-diabetes. The model exhibited good performance with concordance indexes of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.83-0.85) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78-0.86) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, along with well-fitted calibration curves. This study developed a precise nomogram to predict neurosyphilis risk in syphilis patients, with potential implications for early detection prior to an LP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilan Yang
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Gu
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haikong Lu
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhifang Guan
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Shi
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyan Ni
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruirui Peng
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Wu
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tengfei Qi
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fuquan Long
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Chai
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiming Gong
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiping Ye
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pingyu Zhou
- Institute of Sexually Transmitted Disease, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Du FZ, Zhang X, Zhang RL, Wang QQ. CARE-NS, a research strategy for neurosyphilis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1040133. [PMID: 36687428 PMCID: PMC9852909 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1040133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurosyphilis is a major clinical manifestation of syphilis. In recent years, an increase in neurosyphilis cases has been reported in many countries. The overall incidence of neurosyphilis remains unknown, and there is a lack of understanding of the disease pathogenesis, which hampers clinical management, development of prevention strategies, and control. This article proposes the CARE-NS research strategy to enhance the clinical management of neurosyphilis, which consists of six key features: comprehensive management including multidisciplinary treatment (C), alleviating neurological impairment and sequelae (A), risk factors and clinical epidemiology (R), etiology and pathogenesis (E), new diagnostic indicators and strategies (N), and social impact and cost-effectiveness analysis (S).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Zhi Du
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Center for STD Control, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Center for STD Control, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui-Li Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Rui-Li Zhang,
| | - Qian-Qiu Wang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Center for STD Control, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China,Qian-Qiu Wang,
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5
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Zhou J, Zhang H, Tang K, Liu R, Li J. An Updated Review of Recent Advances in Neurosyphilis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:800383. [PMID: 36203756 PMCID: PMC9530046 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.800383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurosyphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum invading the central nervous system, of which the incidence is increasing worldwide. Due to its variable clinical manifestations, diagnosis of neurosyphilis remains challenging, especially the asymptomatic form. This review focuses on recent advances in neurosyphilis, including epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, comorbidities, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and basic research. The expansion of men who have sex with men and the infection of human immunodeficiency virus mainly accounted for the increasing incidence of neurosyphilis. The rate of some historically described forms of neurosyphilis in the pre-antibiotic era declined significantly; atypical features are more prevalent. Neurosyphilis, regarded as a great mimicker for neuro-ophthalmic, audio-vestibular, and psychiatric disorders, often presents concomitantly with other diseases, including metabolic disorders. Studies on long non-coding RNAs, miRNAs, chemokines, and metabolites in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid may facilitate exploring the pathogenesis and identifying novel biomarkers of neurosyphilis. The drug resistance of Treponema pallidum to penicillin has not been reported; ceftriaxone was proposed to be more effective than penicillin, whereas few randomized controlled trials supported this view. This study may pave the way for further research, especially the diagnosis and treatment of neurosyphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hanlin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Keyun Tang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Runzhu Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Li
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6
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Weng W, Hou J, Song B, Zhang M, Zhang T, Gao Y. Identification of the factors associated with post-treatment asymptomatic neurosyphilis in HIV-negative patients with serological non-response syphilis: a retrospective study. Int J STD AIDS 2020; 32:331-335. [PMID: 33345747 DOI: 10.1177/0956462420965850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Some syphilis patients do not exhibit an appropriate serological response after treatment despite the absence of any clinical evidence of treatment failure or reinfection. This condition is called "serofast syphilis" or "serological non-response syphilis." This study explored the incidence of asymptomatic neurosyphilis (ANS) and related factors in 324 asymptomatic patients with serological non-response syphilis. We analyzed descriptive statistics stratified by the presence of asymptomatic neurosyphilis for the basic characteristics of samples. Bivariate analysis was conducted to assess correlations between outcomes and potential predictors. Variables significant in the bivariate analysis (p<0.1) were entered into multivariable logistic regression models. All p-values were two-sided with a significance threshold of p<0.05. The results indicated that 89 of 324 patients had ANS (incidence of 27.5%), and the greatest risk factors were a < fourfold decrease in serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers after treatment and current serum RPR titers >1:32. Our findings suggest that ANS is common among syphilis patients, and patients with a fourfold decrease in serum RPR titers after treatment and current serum RPR titers >1:32 are more likely to develop ANS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Weng
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahua Hou
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Song
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Yanqing Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Klein M, Angstwurm K, Esser S, Hahn K, Maschke M, Scheithauer S, Schoefer H, Sturzenegger M, Wildemann B, Weber J. German guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of neurosyphilis. Neurol Res Pract 2020; 2:33. [PMID: 33225223 PMCID: PMC7669305 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-020-00081-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In view of the importance of neurosyphilis and the difficulties encountered in diagnosing it, the S1 guideline "Neurosyphilis" has been published by the German Society for Neurology (DGN) in accordance with the stipulations of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF). The present article is an abridged translation of that German guideline. Main recommendations (a) Neurosyphilis can manifest as early neurosyphilis (meningitis, meningovascular neurosyphilis or syphilitic gummas) or late neurosyphilis (tabes dorsalis, general paresis). (b) The following diagnostic criteria help to establish the presence of probable neurosyphilis (always point iv, accompanied by any two of points i to iii): (i) subacute or chronic neuro-psychiatric symptoms; (ii) increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count or signs of blood-CSF barrier disruption; (iii) positive effect of anti-neurosyphilis antibiotic therapy on clinical course and CSF findings; (iv) positive TPHA/TPPA or FTA test in serum. (c) The diagnosis of neurosyphilis is confirmed by the subsequent detection of intrathecal production of antibodies against Treponema pallidum. (d) In neurosyphilis, treatment with intravenous penicillin or ceftriaxone for 14 days is recommended. (e) The following parameters can be used to assess a therapeutic effect: clinical findings, serum VDRL, and CSF cell count. Conclusion The German guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of neurosyphilis is a practical tool to support clinicians in diagnosing and treating patients with neurosyphilis. This article is an abridged translation of this guideline (Klein MW, J.; Angstwurm, K.; Esser, S.; Hahn, K.; Matschke, M.; Scheithauer, S.; Schoefer, H.; Sturzenegger, M.; Wildemann, B. Neurosyphilis, S1-Leitlinie. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie, Leitlinien für Diagnostik und Thearpie in der Neurologie 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Klein
- Department of Neurology, LMU Klinikum Muenchen, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Klemens Angstwurm
- Department of Neurology, Universitaetsklinik Regensburg, Universitaetsstr. 84, 93042 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Esser
- Department of Dermatology, Universitaetsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Hahn
- Department of Neurology, Charite Berlin, Chariteplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Maschke
- Department of Neurology, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brueder Trier, Nordallee 1, 54292 Trier, Germany
| | - Simone Scheithauer
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectiology, Universitaet Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Schoefer
- Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken, Aukamm-Allee 33, 65191 Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Matthias Sturzenegger
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Wildemann
- Department of Neurology, Universitaetsklinik Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Weber
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthsee, Austria
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Romo D, Nagendra G, Schechter S, Pavlish A, Cohall A, Neu N. An Educational Intervention to Improve Provider Screening for Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Utilizing an Urban Urgent Care Center. J Community Health 2020; 44:822-827. [PMID: 30877633 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rates of syphilis are increasing in the United States especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The purpose of this project was to implement an educational intervention based on the 2015 CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines for urgent care providers with an emphasis on identifying MSM sexual behavior and appropriate screening for syphilis. An urgent care center was identified as a location where men seek care and where STD testing was occurring. After a baseline provider focus group to identify barriers to STD testing, a patient survey was created and given to clients to increase identification of MSM behaviors and to prompt providers to order syphilis testing. In addition, an educational intervention was implemented to improve provider and staff screening for syphilis. The intervention occurred between September 2015-December 2015. A total of 1341 males were seen with 1067 surveys collected. The mean age was 35.6 and 57.4% were Hispanic. Overall, 72 (5.4%) males identified as MSM. Approximately 50% of all MSM identified had RPRs (n = 37) sent and of these 13.5% (n = 5) tested positive for syphilis. The focus group among urgent care providers and staff identified barriers to syphilis testing. Targeted screening of males using a self-administered questionnaire is acceptable to urgent care populations and may assist in identifying MSM which in turn may help to facilitate syphilis screening and other relevant STI testing pertinent to this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Romo
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Albert Einstein Medical College, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Gowri Nagendra
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Schechter
- Department of Pediatrics, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - April Pavlish
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Alwyn Cohall
- Department of Pediatrics and Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Neu
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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