CLINICAL NEPHROPATHIES IN EARLY SYPHILIS

Abstract

SYPHILITIC involvement of the kidneys, especially in early syphilis, has long been recognized. But the manifestations of a genuine syphilitic nephrosis or nephritis are so infrequent that even those who specialize in renal diseases may be confused by their occurrence. Because of this, it seems worth while to report our experience with syphilitic nephropathies at Bellevue Hospital. We have reviewed all of the cases of secondary syphilis treated in the wards of the hospital since January 1940. All of these patients were given some type of rapid treatment for syphilis. Twelve, or less than 0.3 per cent of those treated for secondary syphilis, showed markedly abnormal urinary findings which responded rapidly and dramatically to intensive, rapid treatment for syphilis. Ten of the 12 were girls or women. The cases are in accord with the description of early syphilitic nephropathies found in the literature. We have omitted from this report all