Syphilis etiology

The diagnosis of herpes simplex disciform keratitis is usually based on clinical appearance. If a history of previous episodes, ghost scars, or decreased corneal sensation is found, herpes simplex is the likely cause, but it is important to rule out other etiologies such as herpes zoster, varicella, vaccinia, mumps, and syphilis. 

Posterior uveitis is rarely a stand-alone diagnosis. Rather, this term is typically used to describe the manifestations of numerous inflammatory conditions involving the choroid and/or retina. The more common etiologies of posterior uveitis include toxoplasmosis, sarcoidosis, syphilis, histoplasmosis, and retinal white-dot syndromes. These conditions may affect a wide range of individuals with regard to age, gender, race, and national origin. 

Inspection of the posterior pole may be hindered by vitreous debris however, it is vitally important to evaluate for CME, a primary cause of visual deficit. Another notable finding in the posterior pole is papillitis, which may occur in a variety of etiologies such as syphilis, herpetic infection, and sympathetic ophthalmia. Chronic long-term complications involving the fundus may include choroidal neovascularization, chorioretinal scarring, epiretinal membrane formation, neovascularization, and retinal detachment. 

The fact that much bismuth is ordinarily stored in the skeleton may be relevant in the etiology of bismuth osteoarthropathy. In two reported cases a differing type of osteopathy occurred, associated with different localization of the pathological lesions and with unusually high bismuth concentrations in the bone both patients had received bismuth injections for syphilis many months or even years before (SEDA-4,169). 

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