Syphilitic Lymphadenitis
Francisco Vega, MD, PhD
Key Facts
Terminology
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Syphilis: Chronic systemic infection caused by T. pallidum (Gram-negative spirochete)
Clinical Issues
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Course of disease divided into 3 stages: Primary, secondary, and tertiary
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Penicillin G is drug of choice for all stages of syphilis
Microscopic Pathology
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Proliferation of blood vessels with endothelial swelling, phlebitis, and endarteritis
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Follicular hyperplasia
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Spirochetes most frequently found in walls of blood vessels (silver stains)
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Capsular and pericapsular inflammation
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Diffuse plasma cell infiltration; sheets of plasma cells in medulla
Inguinal lymph node involved by syphilis. There is pericapsular inflammation and fibrosis associated with marked follicular hyperplasia. |
A pericapsular blood vessel with arteritis is surrounded by an inflammatory infiltrate rich in plasma cells. The plasma cells are polytypic. |
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
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Luetic lymphadenitis, lues
Definitions
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Lymphadenitis in course of syphilis
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Syphilis: Chronic systemic infection caused by Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum)
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Infection usually sexually transmitted, characterized by periods of active disease and latency
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ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Infectious Agents
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T. pallidum is gram-negative spirochete
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At least 4 known subspecies
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T. pallidum pallidum: Causes syphilis
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T. pallidum pertenue: Causes yaws
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T. pallidum carateum: Causes pinta
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T. pallidum endemicum: Causes endemic syphilis or bejel
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