Syphilitic pancolitis is a rare clinical presentation of the spirochete Treponema pallidum; it can be misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease. We report a case of symptomatic syphilitic pancolitis presenting with changes in bowel habit and typical risk factors. We also review previous case reports of syphilitic colitis.
Allan-BlitzLTBeairdOEDrySM, et al.A case of asymptomatic syphilitic proctitis. Sex Transm Dis2019; 46: e68–e69.
2.
AdachiEKoibuchiTOkameM, et al.Case of secondary syphilis presenting with unusual complications: syphilitic proctitis, gastritis, and hepatitis. J Clin Microbiol2011; 49: 4394–4396.
3.
GremidaAAdnanMKapporV, et al.Dyspepsia, diarrhea, and deafness: some calling cards of the great mimic. Dig Dis Sci2017; 62: 2994–2998.
4.
da CostaABAFornazariBda SilvaFPM, et al.Fulminant hepatitis in a patient with secondary syphilis. Int J STD AIDS2018; 29: 1348–1350.
5.
RutlandEHarindraVK. Syphilis: an important cause of infectious hepatitis. Int J STD AIDS2010; 21: 215–216.
6.
GooskensJCoenraadMJGroeneveldJH, et al.Clinical Challenges and Images in GI. Syphilitic Sigmoiditis Complicated by Membranous Nephropathy. Gastroenterology2008; 135: 363716.
7.
ChengJProctorPHoltzmullerK, et al.Syphilis colitis: a rare case report in a human imunodeficiency virus-positive patient. Am J Gastroenterol2014; 109: S190–S191.
8.
ArnoldCALimketkaiBNIlleiPB, et al.Syphilitic and Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) Proctocolitis: Clues to a Frequently Missed Diagnosis. Am J Surg Pathol2013; 37: 38–46.
9.
LevyIGefen-HaleviSNissanI, et al.Delayed diagnosis of colorectal sexually transmitted diseases due to their resemblance to inflammatory bowel diseases. Int J Infect Dis2018; 75: 34–38.
10.
ArnoldCARothRArsenescuR, et al.Sexually transmitted infectious colitis vs inflammatory bowel disease: distinguishing features from a case-controlled study. Am J Clin Pathol2015; 144: 771–781.
11.
TianMHChangCWWuPS, et al.Diagnosis of syphilitic proctitis mimicking ulcerative colitis—a case report. Adv Dig Med2020; 7: 102–105.
12.
HoangMPHighWAMolbergKH. Secondary syphilis: a histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation. J Cutan Pathol2004; 31: 595–599.
13.
GrahamRPNainiBVShahSS, et al.Treponema pallidum Immunohistochemistry is positive in human intestinal Spirochetosis. Diagn Pathol2018; 13: 7.
