A case of rupioid syphilis

Abstract

The first syphilis epidemic dates back to the 16th century, and was first known as lues venerea, translated literally as venereal pest.1 Schaudinn and Hoffman first described spirochaeta pallida as the etiologic bacterium in 1905. The incidence of the disease declined dramatically with the advent of penicillin and reached an historic low in 2000.2 Since 2001 syphilis rates have increased dramatically, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), and among ethnic minorities in urban centers.