Treatment-Resistant Syphilis: SHORT REVIEW AND REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

A case of unusually prolonged, treatment-resistant syphilis with recurrenes is reported by Rajam and Rangiah. Inadequate treatment of the original infection seems to have induced an inveterate allergic sensitivity in the tissues of the host. After 3 years of resistance to prolonged concurrent therapy with Mapharsen and bismuth, the lesions responded dramatically to the first course of penicillin, but new manifestations appeared at varying intervals from 4 months to 5 years after the first course of penicillin. These new lesions have healed both with the arseno-bismuth combination and with penicillin. It is not possible to foresee whether the patient will be free from further trouble. The treatment-resistant lesions were cutaneous and skeletal.