Ann Dermatol.  2011 Sep;23(Suppl 1):S127-S130. 10.5021/ad.2011.23.S1.S127.

Congenital Syphilis Presenting with a Generalized Bullous and Pustular Eruption in a Premature Newborn

• Kim JK
• Choi SR
• Lee HJ
• Kim DH
• Yoon MS
• Jo HS

• KMID: 2156770
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.S1.S127

Abstract

Congenital syphilis occurs when Treponema pallidum crosses the placenta during pregnancy or from contact with an infectious genital lesion during delivery. Cutaneous manifestations of congenital syphilis are relatively common, occurring in approximately 30% to 70% of patients. Maculopapular lesions, vesiculobullous lesions, condylomata lata lesions, annular lesions, and erythema multiforme-like targetoid lesions have been reported. We report on a premature newborn with congenital syphilis who presented with generalized bullous and pustular eruption and desquamation at birth.

Keyword

Blister; Syphilis; Congenital; Premature

MeSH Terms

Blister
Erythema
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Parturition
Placenta
Pregnancy
Syphilis
Syphilis, Congenital
Treponema pallidum

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Yellowish bullous and pustular eruptions and desquamation on the face, trunk, and arms.

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  Fig. 2 Epidermal pustule filled with neutrophils and eosinophils (Hematoxylin-eosin stain, original magnification: ×200).

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  Fig. 3 PCR results show a positive band on 658 bp. Lane 1: molecular weight marker, Lane 2: positive control, Lane 3: patient's sample, Lane 4: negative control.

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