Syphilitic Uveitis in a Singaporean Population

Abstract

Ocular syphilis is seeing a worldwide resurgence. Although anterior uveitis and panuveitis were most common in this study, there was a large spectrum of ocular manifestations. Syphilitic uveitides can potentially cause severe loss of vision but are effectively treated by an appropriate regimen of penicillin.

Syphilitic uveitis and optic neuritis in Sydney, Australia

“…Placoid lesions consistent with ASPPC were identified in two of these patients, both HIV negative 24. A recent report of 18 eyes from 12 patients with ocular syphilis in a Singaporean population identified an HIV positive coinfection rate of 25% 29. Isolated anterior and panuveitis were present in two-thirds of eyes in the Singaporean series 29.…”

“…A recent report of 18 eyes from 12 patients with ocular syphilis in a Singaporean population identified an HIV positive coinfection rate of 25% 29. Isolated anterior and panuveitis were present in two-thirds of eyes in the Singaporean series 29. A Chinese study of 35 eyes of 19 patients reported by Yang et al 6 noted higher rates of posterior uveitis, with over 85% of eyes displaying evidence of posterior segment involvement.…”

“…There have been several previous case series describing ocular syphilis throughout the world, notably in Singapore,29 China6 and the USA 24. Chao et al 24 highlighted the re-emergence of ocular syphilis describing four patients with CSF confirmed neurosyphilis.…”

Syphilitic Uveitis

“…5 Two articles in this issue of Ocular Immunology & Inflammation highlight the continued importance considering syphilis in patients with ocular inflammation and, when ocular syphilis is diagnosed, testing for HIV infection. 6,7 Yap and associates described signs of syphilis in 18 eyes in 12 patients seen from 2004 to 2009 in their clinic in Singapore. 6 Over 90% were men and over 80% were heterosexual.…”

“…6,7 Yap and associates described signs of syphilis in 18 eyes in 12 patients seen from 2004 to 2009 in their clinic in Singapore. 6 Over 90% were men and over 80% were heterosexual. Three were HIV positive and ocular inflammation was the presenting sign of syphilis in all but two patients.…”