Neurosífilis e infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana. Una puesta al día
Rev. Hosp. Clin. Univ. Chile; 30 (1), 2019
Publication year: 2019
Medical literature shows that the co-infection of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) is increasing dramatically worldwide. HIV infection and syphilis have a synergistic
relationship. Syphilis increases the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition, while HIV affects
the presentation, diagnosis, progression and response to syphilis treatment. The diagnosis of
syphilis is made with a non-treponemal reactive test (VDRL or RPR) confirmed with a treponemal
test (FTA-ABS or MHA-TP). The opportune diagnosis of neurosyphilis is essential, particularly
in the asymptomatic stages, given the high risk of serious sequels and lethality. All patients
co-infected with HIV and syphilis with neurological symptoms must be studied with PL and
other complementary tests. There is controversy about when to perform a lumbar puncture in
co-infected patients who do not have neurological symptoms. However, there is consensus that
a CD4 count lower than 350/μl or RPR title greater than 1/32 has indication for the study of
cerebrospinal fluid. Therapy with penicillin G in high doses is the treatment of choice, in addition
to clinical and serological follow-up that must be done to these patients. (AU)