Psychosis in neurosyphilis -- clinical aspects and implications

Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Psychotic Symptoms in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Narrative Review

Background: Approximately 15% of older adults may experience psychotic phenomena. Primary psychiatric disorders that manifest with psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought or behavior) account for less than half. Up to 60% of late-life psychotic symptoms are due to systemic medical or neurological conditions, particularly neurodegenerative diseases. A thorough medical workup including laboratory tests, additional procedures if indicated, and neuroimaging studies is recommended. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding the epidemiology and phenomenology of psychotic symptoms encountered as part of the neurodegenerative disease continuum (including prodromal and manifest stages). Results: Prodromes are constellations of symptoms that precede the onset of overt neurodegenerative syndromes. Prodromal psychotic features, particularly delusions, have been associated with an increased likelihood of receiving a neurodegenerative disease diagnosis within several years. Prompt prodrome recognition is crucial for early intervention. The management of psychosis associated with neurodegenerative diseases includes behavioral and somatic strategies, although evidence is scarce and mostly limited to case reports, case series, or expert consensus guidelines, with few randomized controlled trials. Conclusion: The complexity of psychotic manifestations warrants management by interprofessional teams that provide coordinated, integrated care.

A Narrative Review of the Many Psychiatric Manifestations of Neurosyphilis: The Great Imitator

Neurosyphilis is an infection of the central nervous system caused by the spirochete, Treponema pallidum. New syphilis infections have been increasing around the world each year. This disease was much of a concern in the pre-penicillin era, where when left untreated many cases progressed to tertiary syphilis which can commonly manifest as neurosyphilis. Of particular interest, neurosyphilis has been linked to masquerading itself as various psychiatric conditions. This narrative review focuses on exploring psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis as well as the importance of screening in psychiatric settings and clinicians maintaining high clinical suspicion of the disease. A systematic search was conducted for published articles from 2003 to 2023 using PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. A total of 66 articles met the criteria and were used for detailed analysis, where psychiatric manifestations and clinical progression of patients were discussed in detail. Psychiatric manifestations that were explored include dementia, delirium, depression, mania, personality changes, and psychosis. One of the most common manifestations of neurosyphilis appears to be severe neurocognitive impairment. There are also rare psychiatric conditions neurosyphilis mimics that have been described in literature such as Capgras syndrome and Geschwind syndrome. A narrative review of the literature revealed a low level of clinical awareness of neurosyphilis as a possible etiology of various psychiatric disorders. This resulted in delayed or inaccurate diagnosis and consequently delayed initiation of adequate treatment. Considering that many psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis are reversible with proper treatment, it is imperative to implement routine screening for syphilis among psychiatric patients.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in patients with schizophrenia in Morocco

OBJECTIVES

People with schizophrenia are likely to be overrepresented in high-risk categories for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HBC, and syphilis in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 444 patients were collected, as well as risk factors for STIs. Serological tests were performed.

RESULTS

Lifetime seroprevalence rates were 0.0% for HIV, 1.6% for HBV, 0.9% for HBC, and 3.6% for syphilis. These figures are lower than those reported in the general population except for syphilis. Only 0.45% of patients were seropositive for both HBV and syphilis.

CONCLUSION

No higher rates of HBV, HBC, and HIV seroprevalence were observed compared with the general population, except for syphilis.

Clinical Manifestations, Fluid Changes and Neuroimaging Alterations in Patients with General Paresis of the Insane

PURPOSE

We aim to study the clinical manifestations, fluid changes and neuroimaging alterations in patients with general paresis of the insane (GPI).

METHODS

A total of 119 patients suffering from GPI recruited in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

In 119 GPI patients, 103 cases (86.6%) were male. Misdiagnosed rate was up to 83.2%, schizophrenia and mood disorders were the most common misdiagnosed diseases. Duration from symptom onset to the final confirmed diagnosis was 10.4±12.9 months. The main clinical manifestations included cognitive impairment (114 cases, 95.8%) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (107 cases, 90.0%). The cognitive domains including the delayed recall, visuospatial/executive function and language ability indicated by MoCA score were damaged severely. Rapid plasma regain (RPR) of all GPI patients was 100% positive in serum and 89.9% positive in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). The white blood cell (WBC) number in CSF was between 6 and 50/μL in 73 GPI patients (61.3%). The protein level was between 45.1 and 70mg/dL in 47 cases (39.5%). In the 110 cases, 96 cases (87.3%) were abnormal indicated by cerebral atrophy mostly located in the anterior brain and abnormal signals distributed in various regions of the brain mostly in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe.

CONCLUSION

The symptoms of GPI were complex and easy to misdiagnose. The clinicians were still short of vigilance for neurosyphilis. We should expand serologic testing for syphilis especially in patients with cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms. We suggest syphilis curricula in the training program of the clinicians especially for neurologist and psychiatrist.

Neurocognitive disorder due to neurosyphilis: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Neurosyphilis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum that can cause a great variety of neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, which complicates its diagnosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This case occurred in a 40-year-old man who consulted the Emergency Department because of a convulsion (de novo) which was related to a chronic condition of cognitive impairment and psychosis. The appropriate studies were performed for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis and the recommended treatment was initiated. The patient presented clinical improvement and was discharged.

DISCUSSION

Positive VDRL serology results and imaging findings of marked cortical atrophy conducted to consider a late-stage parenchymatous neurosyphilis with serious cognitive impairment and associated psychosis. Treatment with crystalline penicillin was formulated, which reduced the intensity of the patient's symptoms; however, the patient's lack of interest to attend the check-ups significantly reduces his chances of an adequate recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurosyphilis must be suspected in patients with clinically evident neurological or psychiatric symptoms. Analysis of VDRL serology and neuroimaging studies are important as an initial evaluation of the patient and must be complemented with cognitive tests or mental examination to determine the state of cognitive impairment.

[First-episode psychosis as primary manifestation of medical disease: An update]

A huge variety of medical diseases may potentially present with isolated psychotic symptoms, and disease-specific treatment or management is available for a significant part of them. The initial medical work-up of a first-episode psychosis (FEP) is of crucial importance. This literature review aimed to identify medical conditions potentially revealed by FEP, to list the warning signs of secondary psychosis, and to discuss a screening strategy. Underlying organic conditions may be drugs and medications, neurologic diseases, infections, inflammatory and/or autoimmune pathologies, and metabolic disorders whether of hereditary origin. Each patient presenting with a first-episode psychosis should be evaluated with a precise anamnesis, a careful clinical examination, and routine laboratory tests. Brain imaging and tests (depending on the context) should be performed in the presence of atypical clinical features or "red flags", leading to suspect an organic disease.

Memantine Rescues Neurosyphilis-Related Schizophrenic-like Features and Cognitive Deficit

OBJECTIVES

Neurosyphilis, an infectious neuroinflammatory disorder, could cause diverse neuropsychiatric symptoms mimicking disorders of schizophrenia and dementia; hence, it is known as the "chameleon of psychiatry." Here, we present a subject with neurosyphilis with schizophrenic features and share the treatment outcome.

METHODS

A 42-year-old single man had schizophrenic-like features and cognitive dysfunction for 1 year. Neurosyphilis was confirmed by a cerebral spinal fluid study. The brain image revealed multiple punctuated white matter gliosis in the bilateral frontal lobes and old lacunar infarctions in the bilateral basal hippocampus. The neuropsychiatric functions were declined until adjunctive memantine therapy.

RESULTS

With the add-on therapy of memantine 10 mg daily, the psychotic and dementic symptoms markedly improved, and the patient recovered to the premorbid state in the 2-year follow-up course.

CONCLUSIONS

Memantine has an adjunctive effect on neurosyphilis-related neuropsychiatric disorder via modulation of the glutamatergic neurotransmission and microglia-induced neuroinflammation.

A Case Report of Neurosyphilis Limbic Encephalitis With Reversible Geschwind Syndrome and Mood Disorder

Limbic encephalitis is an inflammatory process of the limbic structures, with polymorphic clinical features, caused by paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic conditions and infections. We describe a case of neurosyphilis limbic encephalitis, presenting with reversible Geschwind syndrome (hyperreligiosity and hypergraphia) and mood disorder due to the predominant involvement of left mesial temporal structures in a previously healthy 34-year-old, left-handed woman. Because neurosyphilis can mimic common neuropsychiatric syndromes, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric disorders with suspected general medical causes. This case of nondominant limbic encephalopathy caused by syphilis infection highlights the relevance of a careful investigation for secondary psychotic, mood, and personality disorders when assessing new-onset psychiatric illness and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to provide a better outcome in patients with neurosyphilis.

Analysis of EEG Lemple-Ziv complexity and correlative aspects before and after treatment of anti-syphilis therapy for neurosyphilis

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of electroencephalogram (EEG) complexity in patients with neurosyphilis by comparing the changes of electroencephalogram Lempel-Ziv complexity (EEG-LZC) before and after anti-syphilis treatment. Methods The EEG complexity of neurosyphilis patients diagnosed in our hospital from July in 2015 to June in 2017 was analyzed and compared with other diagnostic results such as serology examination and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Results A total of 27 patients were diagnosed, including 19 males and 8 females, of which 6 were mesenchymal(cerebrospinal membrane and meningeal vascular), 16 were parenchymal(paralytic dementia, spinal cord tuberculosis and optic neuropathy), and 5 were asymptomatic. After intensive anti-syphilis therapy, the LZC increased significantly in all patients while the trend and degree of change were consistent with other diagnostic results. Conclusion The LZC can be used as one of the diagnostic indexes meanwhile the trend and degree of its change can be used as the reference index of curative effect to neurosyphilis.

Association between schizophrenia and syphilis: a retrospective study in Xiamen, China

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that patients with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia have a higher risk for syphilis infection. However, the clinical characteristics of psychotic patients who are infected with syphilis remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of syphilis in psychotic patients in Xiamen and to compare the social function and serum biochemical markers between schizophrenia patients with and without syphilis.

METHODS

There were a total of 1586 psychotic patients screened for syphilis from May 2016 to August 2017 in Xiamen Mental Health Center. We retrospectively studied 87 schizophrenia patients in this study. The NOSIE-30 score and serum biochemical markers were analyzed for all schizophrenia patients.

RESULTS

The seroprevalence of syphilis was 3.3% (52/1586) in our study. Schizophrenia patients infected with syphilis (SCZ-S) showed a higher irritability score compared with patients without syphilis (SCZ-C) (p < 0.05). Similarly, the serum CK, CK-MB, K and Cl values were significantly higher in the SCZ-S group than in the SCZ-C group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CK levels in SCZ-S drug-free patients were significantly higher than in drug-free patients in the SCZ-C group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The seroprevalence of syphilis was 3.3% (52/1586) in our study, which revealed that psychotic patients were at high risk of being infected with Treponema pallidum. In addition, schizophrenia patients infected with syphilis can be more irritable and could have disrupted electrolyte and CK and CK-MB levels.

Thomas Mann's depiction of neurosyphilis and other diseases

Thomas Mann (1875-1955), a Nobel Prize recipient rightly considered one of the great novelists of the twentieth century, was one of the most medically perceptive writers of recent times. His novels take place against the background of the different plagues (tuberculosis, cholera) that characterized the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. One of Mann's later novels, Doctor Faustus, is set against a background of syphilis. In the 500-page book, which is subtitled The Life of the German Composer Adrian Leverkühn as told by a Friend, we see the theologian turned composer make a pact with the devil. He "voluntarily" contracts syphilis and, as a result of the pact and despite (or because of) the disease, Leverkühn starts a brilliant 24-year career, becoming the greatest German composer of his time. While it is widely thought that Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) is the model for Leverkühn, we will show that other composers of the time also inspired the fictitious musician's life and works. We will also illustrate the parallel between Leverkühn's disease progression and political events in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s and their similarity with current political events.

Misdiagnosed neurosyphilis associated with prolonged psychosis

OBJECTIVE

After the prevalence of syphilis had reached historic lows, the Center for Disease Control devised a plan to eradicate syphilis in the United States. Since that decree there has been a dramatic rise in new cases. Psychosis is an ominous symptom of neurosyphilis.

METHODS

We report a case of neurosyphilis that was misdiagnosed and staged incorrectly.

RESULTS

Failure to diagnose neurosyphilis was associated with prolonged psychosis that has been refractory to antipsychotic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatrists should renew their vigilance for neurosyphilis in the setting of a positive screening test and psychosis.

CXCL13, CXCL10 and CXCL8 as Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Neurosyphilis Patients

At present, diagnosis for neurosyphilis remains a major clinical challenge. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) titer of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is suboptimally sensitive to diagnose neurosyphilis, which can be negative in neurosyphilis patients, especially in asymptomatic neurosyphilis patients. In the search for biomarkers of neurosyphilis, we investigated the chemokine profile in CSF of neurosyphilis patients and found that the concentrations of CXCL13, CXCL10 and CXCL8 were selectively elevated in neurosyphilis patients and correlated with CSF protein concentration and CSF-VDRL titer. After antibiotic treatment, the concentration of these chemokines was dramatically reduced. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CSF CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 and the CSF/serum ratio of CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis were 0.940, 0.899, 0.915, 0.963, 0.846 and 0.926, respectively. The corresponding sensitivities/specificities of CSF CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 and the CSF/serum ratio of CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 in diagnosis of neurosyphilis were 85.4%/89.1%, 79%/90.1% and 79.6%/91.1%, 86.6%/99%, 79%/73.3% and 86%/92.1%, respectively. Our results suggest that the elevated concentrations of CXCL13, CXCL8, and CXCL10 or their increasing CSF/serum ratios may be potential biomarkers of neurosyphilis, particularly for asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Reduced concentration of these chemokines may indicate the prognosis of antibiotic therapy.

Clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of general paresis misdiagnosed as primary psychiatric disease

BACKGROUND

Neurosyphilis is caused by the invasion of Treponema pallidum into the central nervous system. General paresis (GP) is a type of neurosyphilis. The main manifestation of general paresis is dementia; however, this is different from the other types of dementia, which can be cured by adequate doses of penicillin in the early stage. Neurosyphilis is the "great imitator" because it can mimic many types of medical disorders. In addition, the manifestations of neurosyphilis are not typical. Psychiatric disorders as a cause of general paresis have become more common due to the use of antibiotics. Patients with a psychiatric manifestation are often misdiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in the clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of general paresis between patients misdiagnosed as having a primary psychiatric disease and patients diagnosed correctly upon seeing a doctor. The results may assist clinicians in the early identification of neurosyphilis with a mental disorder.

METHOD

The demographic and clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and neuroimaging and neuropsychological characteristics were analysed in 55 general paresis patients with psychiatric disorders, including 29 patients misdiagnosed as primary psychiatric disease and 26 patients diagnosed as having general paresis after being seen once by a doctor.

RESULT

All of the patients had positive assay results for cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA). Only 43.3 % of misdiagnosed patients and 30.8 % of general paresis patients had positive results for the CSF rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test; 96.4 % patients had abnormal neuroimaging. Mood disturbances were the most common psychiatric disorder in the general paresis patients, especially agitation, between the two groups (patients with general paresis who were misdiagnosed as having primary psychiatric disease and patients who had never been misdiagnosed) (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Our findings reinforce the importance of performing serologic testing for syphilis. This should be a part of the evaluation of patients with psychiatric disorders, especially patients with cognitive impairment. When the syphilis serology is positive, the patient should be examined thoroughly for neurosyphilis by lumbar puncture. Brain imaging could also aid the physician in discriminating these patients from those with a functional mental disorder.

Towards diagnostic markers for the psychoses

Psychotic disorders are currently grouped under broad phenomenological diagnostic rubrics. Researchers hope that progress in identifying aetiological mechanisms will ultimately enable more precise division of heterogeneous diagnoses into specific and valid subgroups. This goal has been an aim of psychiatry since the 19th century, when patients with general paresis were thought to have "insanity" similar to dementia praecox and manic depressive illness. Nowadays, the constructs of organic-induced and substance-induced psychotic disorder show that our diagnostic classification system already reflects, in part, aetiological factors. Most recently, gene copy number variation and autoimmunity have been associated with schizophrenia. We suggest how, on the basis of recent scientific advances, we can progress the identification of further putative subgroups and make the most of currently available interventions. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, and a more routine search for causes, could preserve function and improve outcome, and therefore be more acceptable to patients and carers.

Donepezil Improved Cognitive Deficits in a Patient With Neurosyphilis

A large number of patients with neurosyphilis present dementia with a progressive course and psychiatric symptoms such as depression, mania, and psychosis. Despite prompt and proper antibiotic treatment, the recovery is often incomplete, especially when tissue damage has occurred. We reported a patient with persisted cognitive decline associated with neurosyphilis that improved substantially after donepezil therapy. A 43-year-old man manifested significant psychiatric symptoms such as mania, psychosis, and cognitive impairment due to neurosyphilis. Subsequently, the patient was treated with antipsychotics and donepezil concurrent with an adequate antibiotic treatment for neurosyphilis. During the 1-year follow-up, his rapid plasma reagin titer approached from 1:256 to 1:64. His Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale scores improved from 12 to 25 and 42.3 to 6.3, respectively, after a 6-month donepezil treatment. Donepezil was discontinued. Three months later, worsening of cognitive impairment (MMSE score, 23) was noted. After donepezil was started again for 3 months, his MMSE score improved to 26. Persistent cognitive impairment is commonly associated with neurosyphilis despite adequate penicillin treatment. Treatment of the cognitive impairment is important but difficult. Cholinergic pathways are considered as involving in the cognitive deficit induced by neurosyphilis and donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, which may be useful for the improvement of cognition. In this case report, we described for the first time the successful use of donepezil in treating cognitive impairment associated with neurosyphilis. The role of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of cognitive impairments caused by neurosyphilis needs further studies.

Biomarker Development for Brain-Based Disorders: Recent Progress in Psychiatry

Biomarkers are biological measures that are indicative of a specific disorder, its severity or response to treatment. They are widely used in many areas of medicine, but biomarker development for brain-based disorders lags behind. Using examples from the field of psychiatry, this article reviews the concepts of biomarkers, challenges to their development and the recent progress along those lines. In addition to discussing historical biomarker candidates such as cortisol or catecholamine levels, we include progress from recent genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, neuroimaging and EEG studies. Successful identification of biomarkers will advance the field of psychiatry towards the goal of biological tests for diagnosis, symptom management and treatment response.