Secondary syphilis presenting with alopecia and leukoderma in a stable HIV-positive patient in a resource-limited setting: a case report

    April 2024 in “ AIDS Research and Therapy
    Sukoluhle Khumalo, Yves Mafulu, Victor Williams, Normusa Musarapasi, Samson Haumba, Nkululeko Dube
    TLDR Syphilis can cause hair loss and skin changes in HIV-positive patients, and proper treatment can resolve these symptoms.
    This case report details a 29-year-old HIV-positive woman who developed secondary syphilis, presenting with alopecia and leukoderma, despite being on antiretroviral therapy. The patient experienced generalized hair loss and skin depigmentation, which were resolved following treatment with Benzathine Penicillin 2.4MU. The report emphasizes the necessity for healthcare providers to maintain a high level of clinical suspicion for syphilis in patients with atypical symptoms, particularly in resource-limited settings, to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective management. The case also highlights the importance of recognizing diverse clinical manifestations of syphilis in HIV-positive individuals.
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