Background: Over the past two years, there has been an alarming rise in syphilis in many developed and developing countries, owing to the increase in HIV/AIDS, changes in sexual practices, drug abuse and so on. Methods: A total of 10 patients were diagnosed with secondary syphilis in the Venereology OutPatient Department of our hospital over a short period of 4 months, from July 2021 to October 2021. Demographic details, presenting complaints, duration of skin lesions, sexual history, treatment history of other STIs, history of drug abuse, and blood transfusion were recorded. Serological tests like VDRL, TPHA, HIV, HBV and HCV were done for all patients. Dark field microscopy and biopsy were done in a few cases. Informed and written consent was obtained from all the patients for taking clinical photographs. Results: Our case series had 6 male and 4 female patients. Among six male patients, one was retro positive and on antiretroviral therapy. Most of the patients (6 out of 10) were in the 20-40 age group. One male patient was a teenager. Eight out of ten patients were married. Two out of 4 female patients were pregnant. Most patients were misdiagnosed earlier as psoriasis, pityriasis rosea, haemorrhoids, and perianal wart elsewhere by dermatologists and general practitioners. The commonest morphology of lesions was maculopapular, followed by psoriasiform lesions and pigmentation of palms and soles. Conclusion: Nowadays, all dermatologists and non-dermatologists should have a heightened awareness of the varied clinical phenotypes of secondary syphilis, its timely recognition and treatment to prevent its spread to the partners and the community.
Key words: secondary syphilis, maculopapular, psoriasiform
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