Oral manifestations of syphilis: Report of four cases

Abstract

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can present with an array of oral manifestations at different stages of disease progression. This article reports on four cases of syphilis with oral manifestations diagnosed by oral health professionals. Case 1: 18-year-old female presented with multiple ulcerations and patches involving the hard palate, uvula, retromolar area, and papillary nodules on the tongue. Case 2: 25-year-old male presented with a solitary, exophytic lesion on the anterior tongue. Case 3: 17-year-old female presented with multiple pigmented macules on the palms of hands and soles of feet, as well as multiple exophytic, sessile, soft tissue masses throughout the oral cavity. Case 4: 14-year-old female presented with a solitary, exophytic, verrucous lesion in the incisive papilla area, as well as multiple, coalescing patches involving the soft palate, uvula, and tonsillar areas. All patients were managed by biopsy and serological investigations.

Description

Keywords

Oral lesions, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Oral health, Syphilis, Treponema pallidum

Citation

van Staden, S. M. et al. (2022). Oral manifestations of syphilis: Report of four cases. Pathogens , 11(6), 612. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11060612