Canadian Medical Guide

Canadian Medical Guide > Diseases > Bacterial Infections and Mycoses > Bacterial Infections > Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections > Neurosyphilis Terms and Definitions

Neurosyphilis

Medical Definition:

Infections of the central nervous system caused by TREPONEMA PALLIDUM which present with a variety of clinical syndromes. The initial phase of infection usually causes a mild or asymptomatic meningeal reaction. The meningovascular form may present acutely as BRAIN INFARCTION. The infection may also remain subclinical for several years. Late syndromes include general paresis; TABES DORSALIS; meningeal syphilis; syphilitic OPTIC ATROPHY; and spinal syphilis. General paresis is characterized by progressive DEMENTIA; DYSARTHRIA; TREMOR; MYOCLONUS; SEIZURES; and Argyll-Robertson pupils. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp722-8)

Also Called:

Juvenile Paresis,Neurosyphilis, Asymptomatic,Neurosyphilis, Gummatous,General Paralysis,Neurosyphilis, Juvenile,Neurosyphilis, Secondary,Neurosyphilis, Symptomatic