Oral manifestations of secondary syphilis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35954/SM2024.43.2.6.e501

Keywords:

Oral cavity, sexually transmitted diseases, treponemal infections, syphilis, Treponema pallidum

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis is currently considered a public health problem due to its increasing incidence. Although its incidence has been decreasing since the introduction of penicillins, it is experiencing a resurgence attributable to the increase in the immunocompromised population and to the increase in risky sexual behaviors.

Methodology: A literature review of articles published in the last 10 years in Spanish, English and Portuguese was carried out. The databases MedLine/PubMed, BVS of Bireme, and the web page of the Ministry of Public Health were consulted. The following descriptors were used: Oral Cavity, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Treponema Infections and Syphilis.

Discussion: The World Health Organization has developed plans to reduce sexually transmitted diseases and related deaths. The goal for 2030 is to reduce the incidence of syphilis by 90% worldwide. To achieve this, it is necessary to define specific populations, and to have state policies that provide resources to maintain the measures in a sustainable manner. Our country is no stranger to this increase in registered cases, so it is of utmost relevance that health personnel are updated about the clinical manifestations of this disease that often simulate other pathological entities.

Objective: To report the case of a patient with oral lesions as a manifestation of secondary syphilis. This article highlights the importance of recognizing oral manifestations in different stages of the disease, emphasizing the need for dentists to be familiar with these signs to allow an early diagnosis.

Conclusions: Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent further complications and spread of the disease.

This article was approved by the Editorial Committee.

Received for review: May 2024.
Accepted for publication: June 2024.
Correspondence: Base Aérea Cap. Boiso Lanza. Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza 5553. Montevideo, Uruguay. Tel: (598) 22224400 ext. 1404.
Contact e-mail: div.odontologia@fau.mil.uy 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Bettina Bilhalva, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas

CONTRIBUTED TO THE MANUSCRIPT IN: Conception, data acquisition, interpretation and discussion of results.

Noelia Dura , Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas

CONTRIBUTED TO THE MANUSCRIPT IN: Design, interpretation and discussion of results, writing and critical review.

María Lucía Lapi Corradi, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas

CONTRIBUTED TO THE MANUSCRIPT IN: Data analysis, interpretation and discussion of results, drafting, critical revision and approval of the final version.

María Lys Locatelli Lencina, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas

CONTRIBUTED TO THE MANUSCRIPT IN: Design, interpretation and discussion of results, writing and critical review.

References

Seibt CE, Munerato MC. Secondary syphilis in the oral cavity and the role of the dental surgieron in STD prevention, diagnosis and treatment: a case series study. Braz J Infect Dis 2016 Jul-Aug; 20(4):393-398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjid.2016.03.008

Little JW. Syphilis: An update. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod [Internet]. 2005; 100(1):3-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.03.006

Queirós C, da Costa JB. Oral Transmission of Sexually Transmissible Infections: A Narrative Review. Acta Med Port 2019 Dec 2; 32(12):776-781. https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.12191

Silva ÂAO, Lima AA, Vasconcelos L de CM, Almeida RA de, Freitas NEM de, Habib FL, et al. Performance Assessment of Treponemal and Nontreponemal Tests for the Diagnosis of Acquired Syphilis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024 Apr 9; 110(6):1237-1244. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.23-0238

Straight KL, Paranal RM, Musher DM. The oral manifestations of syphilitic disease: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2019 Jul 26; 13(1):227. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-019-2171-z

Hertel M, Matter D, Schmidt-Westhausen AM, Bornstein MM. Oral syphilis: series de 5 cases. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2014 Feb; 72(2):338-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2013.07.015

Uruguay. Ministerio de Salud Pública. Dirección General de Salud. Documento 12/001/3/6565/2023 Actuación: 3 [citado 12 de abril de 2024]. Disponible en: https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-saludpublica/sites/ministerio-salud-publica/files/2024-01/respuesta6565_removed.pdf

Apoita Sanz M, González Navarro B, Jané-Salas E, Marí Roig A, Estrugo Devesa A, López-López J. Sífilis: manifestaciones orales, revisión sistemática. Av Odontoestomatol [Internet]. 2020 ago [citado 23 de abril de 2024]; 36(3):159-173. https://doi.org/10.4321/s0213-12852020000300005

Hernandez-Bel, Unamuno B, Sánchez-Carazo JL, Febrer I, Alegre V. Alopecia sifilítica: presentación de 5 casos y revisión de la literatura. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2013; 104(6):512-517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ad.2012.02.009

Boza Oreamuno YV, Boza Oreamuno SM. Sífilis la gran imitadora. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura. Odontoestomatología [Internet]. 2021 [citado 22 de abril de 2024]; 23(7): e401. https://doi.org/10.22592/ode2021n37a7

Published

2024-10-08

How to Cite

1.
Bilhalva B, Dura N, Lapi Corradi ML, Locatelli Lencina ML. Oral manifestations of secondary syphilis. Salud mil [Internet]. 2024 Oct. 8 [cited 2026 Jun. 17];43(2):e501. Available from: https://revistasaludmilitar.uy/ojs/index.php/Rsm/article/view/435

Issue

Section

Case Reports

        PlumX Metrics

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.