Rapid, progressive neuropathic arthropathy of the hip in a patient co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus and tertiary syphilis: case report
2011

Neuropathic Arthropathy in a Patient with HIV, HCV, and Syphilis

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Drago Lorenzo, De Vecchi Elena, Pasqualini Marco, Moneghini Laura, Bruno Maurilio

Primary Institution: IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Milan, Italy

Hypothesis

Can tertiary syphilis cause rapidly progressive neuropathic arthropathy in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV?

Conclusion

Tertiary syphilis should be considered as a potential cause of neuropathic arthropathy, especially in patients with HIV and/or HCV co-infection.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient had a history of rapidly worsening hip pain and was later diagnosed with tertiary syphilis.
  • Serological tests confirmed the presence of HIV and HCV co-infection.
  • Histological examination showed extensive bone destruction consistent with tertiary syphilis.

Takeaway

This study talks about a man who got a really bad hip problem because of syphilis, which got worse because he also had HIV and hepatitis C.

Methodology

Case report detailing clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, and treatment outcomes.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the patient's reluctance to disclose his medical history.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

A 69-year-old man.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2334-11-159

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