Neurosyphilis : Current understandings

Abstract

Neurosyphilis is neurological complication of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by infection of Treponema pallidum. In pre-antibiotic era, it was considered almost incurable condition. After the introduction of penicillin for treatment, survival dramatically improved. Recently, upsurge is seen in neurosyphilis especially in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients and homosexual population. In current scenario, concurrent HIV and syphilis infections poses a major challenge as both conditions have similar modes of transmission and risk factors. Development of neurosyphilis is more common in HIV infected syphilis patients than non-HIV infected patients and presence of syphilis poses a negative impact on viral load (increases viral load) in HIV infected patients which further enhances the transmission of HIV.