International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 19, Number 7 > Pp. 486-487

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Case reports

Multiple aphthoid syphilitic chancres of the oral cavity

S Veraldi MD , L Lunardon MD, M C Persico MD, C Francia MD and S Bottini MD

Institute of Dermatological Sciences, University of Milan, IRCCS Foundation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy

Correspondence to: Professor Stefano Veraldi, Institute of Dermatological Sciences, University of Milan, Via Pace 9, Milan 20122, Italy Email: stefano.veraldi{at}unimi.it

We describe the case of a 31-year-old man who was affected by three asymptomatic, aphthoid, syphilitic chancres of the oral cavity. These lesions were accompanied by right latero-cervical and chin lymphadenopathy. The infection was previously diagnosed as aphthous stomatitis. The search for Treponema pallidum by means of darkfield microscope examination was positive. The patient was successfully treated with oral erythromycin ethylsuccinate. To our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple aphthoid syphilitic chancres of the oral cavity reported in the literature. We suggest that all patients with a recent history of painless ulcers in the oral cavity, accompanied by regional lymphadenopathy in which the clinical diagnosis has not been confirmed, should undergo a darkfield microscope examination.

Key Words: aphthous stomatitis • chancres • oral cavity • syphilis • Treponema pallidum

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