Developer site: The content shown here is test data.

MyEClinic
MyEClinic
Health Dictionary AI Health Chat Find an Online Doctor
A serene Zen garden with raked sand and smooth stones, symbolising clarity and calm

Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

Back to skin conditions

Syphilis physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

The physical examination findings of syphilis are described according to the stage of syphilis which includes non-tender chancre in primary syphilis followed by rash and generalized lymphadenopathy in secondary syphilis. Physical examination findings in tertiary syphilis depend on the organ system involved.[1][2][3]

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

The physical examination findings of syphilis are described according to the stage of syphilis.[1][2][3]

Stage of syphilis Physical Examination Images
Primary syphilis

Chancre

Regional lymphadenopathy

  • Unilateral or bilateral
  • Lymph nodes are firm, painless, non-tender and non-suppurative
Secondary syphilis

Cardinal signs

  • Skin rash: initial macular lesions on the trunk and proximal limbs with progressive generalized papular rash and may cause necrotic ulcers

Condylomata lata

  • Reddish-brown papular lesions on the intertriginous areas that coalesce and enlarge into large plaques known as condylomata lata
  • Lesions usually progress from painful vesicular pattern to erosive lesions with resultant broad, grey-white highly infectious lesions

Superficial mucosal patches

Latent syphilis
  • Asymptomatic (serologically positive)
Tertiary syphilis

Neurosyphilis

  • Focal deficits
  • Intermittent or progresses slowly over a few days
  • Parenchymatous neurosyphilis

Cardiovascular syphilis

Gummatous lesions

  • Soft, asymmetric, coalscent granulomatous lesion
  • Solitary lesions less than a centimeter in diameter
  • Appear almost anywhere in the body
  • Cutaneous gumma: indurated, nodular, papulosquamous to ulcerative lesions with peripheral hyperpigmentation
  • +/−, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=743277
    +/−, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=743277
  • Gummatous lesions in tertiary syphilis - Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[4]
    Gummatous lesions in tertiary syphilis – Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[4]
  • Gummatous lesions in tertiary syphilis - Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[4]
    Gummatous lesions in tertiary syphilis – Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[4]
  • Gummatous lesions in tertiary syphilis - Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[4]
    Gummatous lesions in tertiary syphilis – Adapted from Dermatology Atlas.[4]
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Singh AE, Romanowski B (1999). “Syphilis: review with emphasis on clinical, epidemiologic, and some biologic features”. Clin Microbiol Rev. 12 (2): 187–209. PMC 88914. PMID 10194456.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Carlson JA, Dabiri G, Cribier B, Sell S (2011). “The immunopathobiology of syphilis: the manifestations and course of syphilis are determined by the level of delayed-type hypersensitivity”. Am J Dermatopathol. 33 (5): 433–60. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181e8b587. PMC 3690623. PMID 21694502.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wöhrl S, Geusau A (2007). “Clinical update: syphilis in adults”. Lancet. 369 (9577): 1912–4. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60895-2. PMID 17560432.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 “Dermatology Atlas”.
  5. ↑ Sapira JD (1981 Apr). ““Quincke, de Musset, Duroziez, and Hill: some aortic regurgitations““. South Med J. 74 (4): 459–67. Check date values in: |date= (help)


Template:WikiDoc Sources

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S[2]; Nate Michalak, B.A.