Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports

Lues maligna, also termed malignant syphilis or rupioid syphilis, is a rare and severe form of secondary syphilis. Clinically, the condition is characterized by unusual nodules and necrotic and ulcerated skin lesions covered by thick, lamellated crusts associated with severe constitutional symp...

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Main Authors: Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, Binamra Basnet, Bidhan Neupane, Ajay Kumar, Surendra Sapkota, Mandeep Dutta Joshi, Kamala Subedi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON) 2025-03-01
Series:Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
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Online Access:https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/74403
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author Bishnu Prasad Adhikari
Binamra Basnet
Bidhan Neupane
Ajay Kumar
Surendra Sapkota
Mandeep Dutta Joshi
Kamala Subedi
author_facet Bishnu Prasad Adhikari
Binamra Basnet
Bidhan Neupane
Ajay Kumar
Surendra Sapkota
Mandeep Dutta Joshi
Kamala Subedi
author_sort Bishnu Prasad Adhikari
collection DOAJ
description Lues maligna, also termed malignant syphilis or rupioid syphilis, is a rare and severe form of secondary syphilis. Clinically, the condition is characterized by unusual nodules and necrotic and ulcerated skin lesions covered by thick, lamellated crusts associated with severe constitutional symptoms. Most of the lues maligna cases have been observed in immunocompromised individuals, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infected patients, alcoholics, malnourished individuals, and patients with debilitating illnesses. However, immunocompetent individuals can also develop this form of illness. Herein, we present 2 cases of lues maligna in immunocompetent patients. The first case is a 38-year-old immunocompetent married female, while the second case is a 34-old married male, both presenting with multiple diffuse noduloulcerative lesions with rupioid crusts. Serological tests for syphilis were positive in both patients and a biopsy of both patients showed forms consistent with secondary syphilis.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2091-0231
2091-167X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON)
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series Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
spelling doaj-art-2cae54fd65f541809418e51cb545efe22025-08-23T10:03:23ZengSociety of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON)Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology2091-02312091-167X2025-03-0123110.3126/njdvl.v23i1.74403Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports Bishnu Prasad Adhikarihttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-5089-4465Binamra Basnet0Bidhan Neupane1Ajay Kumar2Surendra Sapkota3Mandeep Dutta Joshi4Kamala Subedi5Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, NepalManipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, NepalManipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, NepalManipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, NepalPokhara Academy of Health Sciences, Ramghat, Pokhara, Nepal Lues maligna, also termed malignant syphilis or rupioid syphilis, is a rare and severe form of secondary syphilis. Clinically, the condition is characterized by unusual nodules and necrotic and ulcerated skin lesions covered by thick, lamellated crusts associated with severe constitutional symptoms. Most of the lues maligna cases have been observed in immunocompromised individuals, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infected patients, alcoholics, malnourished individuals, and patients with debilitating illnesses. However, immunocompetent individuals can also develop this form of illness. Herein, we present 2 cases of lues maligna in immunocompetent patients. The first case is a 38-year-old immunocompetent married female, while the second case is a 34-old married male, both presenting with multiple diffuse noduloulcerative lesions with rupioid crusts. Serological tests for syphilis were positive in both patients and a biopsy of both patients showed forms consistent with secondary syphilis. https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/74403Fisher's criteriaHuman immunodeficiency virusMalignant syphilisRupioid syphilisUlceronodular-rupioid syphilis.
spellingShingle Bishnu Prasad Adhikari
Binamra Basnet
Bidhan Neupane
Ajay Kumar
Surendra Sapkota
Mandeep Dutta Joshi
Kamala Subedi
Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports
Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
Fisher's criteria
Human immunodeficiency virus
Malignant syphilis
Rupioid syphilis
Ulceronodular-rupioid syphilis.
title Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports
title_full Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports
title_fullStr Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports
title_full_unstemmed Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports
title_short Lues Maligna in Immunocompetent Individuals: Two Case Reports
title_sort lues maligna in immunocompetent individuals two case reports
topic Fisher's criteria
Human immunodeficiency virus
Malignant syphilis
Rupioid syphilis
Ulceronodular-rupioid syphilis.
url https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/74403
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