JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Article

Neurosyphilis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment
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Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences

DOI: 10.58739/jcbs/v15i1.233

Year: 2025, Volume: 15, Issue: 1, Pages: 10-15

Review Article

Neurosyphilis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Pasha S A Rahil1∗, Parimala S2, Natarajan Arvind3

1Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Devraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, Karnataka, India
2Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Sri Devraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, Karnataka, India
3Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Devraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding Author
Email: [email protected]

Received Date:28 November 2024, Accepted Date:11 February 2025, Published Date:25 March 2025

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Neurosyphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, occurs when this organism breaches the central nervous system, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems such as those living with HIV. Neurosyphilis remains a global health concern, and its prevalence has risen significantly, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and among immunocompromised people, highlighting the importance of screening and public health interventions. Although neuroinvasion may happen at an early stage, the clinical signs might not appear until years later. Clinical presentations can differ from asymptomatic cases to serious complications such as meningitis and cognitive deficits. Diagnosis mainly relies on serological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Penicillin remains the drug of choice, but alternative therapies may be necessary for penicillin allergy. Early detection and treatment significantly improve prognosis; however, late-stage cases may lead to permanent neurological damage. Increasing public awareness, providing education, and advancing research on diagnostic and treatment methods are essential to address the challenges of this re-emerging disease.

Keywords: Neurosyphilis; Treponema pallidum; Sexually transmitted infections (STIs); Central nervous system (CNS) involvement; HIV and neurosyphilis

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Copyright

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Published By Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education, Kolar, Karnataka

  • 25 March 2025

Year: 2025, Volume: 15, Issue: 1

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