CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SYPHILITIC VISCEROPATHY AND THE RELEVANCE OF EARLY DETECTION OF LIVER LESIONS

Visceral syphilis can manifest as cardiovascular involvement that can be observed even in the early stages of syphilis. Additionally, the nervous system, kidneys, and eyes can also be affected. The likelihood of liver damage in the early stages of syphilis remains a topic of debate; however, it is wellestablished that in the laterstages,syphilis can involve the liver, causing interstitial inflammation and the formation of gummas. Recent epidemiological trends show a rise in the proportion of latent syphilis within the overall morbidity. This trend underscores the need for greater awareness regarding manifestations of visceralsyphilis. Chronic inflammation of the liver can potentially lead to chronic granulomatousinflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. To explore these issues, a literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Science Direct, and eLibrary databases, utilizing key terms such as “modern epidemiology of syphilis”, “visceral syphilis”, “syphilitic disease of the liver”, and “syphilitic hepatitis”. The search strategy encompassed all clinical trials, observational studies, case reports, and literature reviews published within the past decade, while excluding reports from non-peerreviewed sources. The literature review yielded a significant number of reports discussing liver lesions in the early stages of syphilis. Evidence includes clinical presentations of cholestasis and abnormal liver biochemical markers in patients with syphilis, which tended to normalize following targeted treatment. Furthermore, the diagnosis of syphilitic liver lesions is supported by the identification of treponemal antigens in liver biopsies, confirmed through immunohistochemical examination of the specimens. Keywords: Syphilis, epidemiological features, visceral syphilis, syphilitic disease of the liver, pathomorphological changes in the liver in syphilis, diagnosis of syphilitic disease of the liver

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