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Neurosyphilis
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<p>Neurosyphilis is the infection of the <a href="/facts/Central_nervous_system/k8I6To97">central nervous system</a> by <i><a href="/facts/Treponema_pallidum/33nBmQTg">Treponema pallidum</a></i>, the bacterium that causes the <a href="/facts/Sexually_transmitted_infection/IYL1rxdI">sexually transmitted infection</a> <a href="/facts/Syphilis/fdnGLyLT">syphilis</a>. In the era of modern <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotics</a>, the majority of neurosyphilis cases have been reported in <a href="/facts/Syphilis_with_AIDS/RqLIEMuJ">HIV-infected</a> patients. </p><p>There is a wide variety of symptoms that neurosyphilis can present with depending on the affected structure of the central nervous system. While early neurosyphilis is often asymptomatic, <a href="/facts/Meningitis/4m4STzJB">meningitis</a> is the most common neurological presentation of the early stage. Late neurosyphilis typically involves the <a href="/facts/Brain/EKla9NkJ">brain</a> and <a href="/facts/Spinal_cord/XbWLr917">spinal cord</a> <a href="/facts/Parenchyma/NlGkFWlQ">parenchyma</a>, manifesting as <a href="/facts/Tabes_dorsalis/P8yYXsvA">tabes dorsalis</a> and <a href="/facts/General_paresis_of_the_insane/13JmXKbz">general paresis</a>. <a href="/facts/Tertiary_syphilis/fdnGLyLT">Tertiary syphilis</a> can involve several different organ systems, though neurosyphilis may occur at any stage of infection. </p><p><a href="/facts/Medical_history/P2xSfuYF">Clinical history</a>, a physical <a href="/facts/Neurological_examination/HHIvrQa9">neurological examination</a>, and a <a href="/facts/Lumbar_puncture/uKwxHqpd">lumbar puncture</a> to obtain <a href="/facts/Cerebrospinal_fluid/tcWG7hhv">cerebrospinal fluid</a> (CSF) for analysis are crucial for diagnosing neurosyphilis. There is no single laboratory test to confirm the diagnosis of neurosyphilis in all cases. A positive <a href="/facts/Venereal_Disease_Research_Laboratory_test/QwNc4Abv">CSF-VDRL test</a> in the presence of neurological symptoms is sufficient for a diagnosis, but additional tests may be needed in certain instances. </p><p>Standard treatment is an infusion of intravenous <a href="/facts/Benzylpenicillin/f5mRK45E">penicillin G</a> for 10 to 14 days. Patients with neurosyphilis should also be evaluated for <a href="/facts/HIV%2fAIDS/RqLIEMuJ">HIV</a>, and their sexual partners should be properly evaluated by a medical professional. </p>