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Case Report
Barking up the wrong tree? Use of polymerase chain reaction to diagnose syphilitic aortitis
  1. A W O’Regan1,
  2. C Castro4,
  3. S A Lukehart4,
  4. J M Kasznica2,
  5. P A Rice3,
  6. M F Joyce-Brady1
  1. 1Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
  2. 2Department of Pathology, Boston University School of Medicine
  3. 3Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine
  4. 4Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr A W O’Regan, The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
    aoregan{at}lung.bumc.bu.edu

Abstract

The presentation of syphilitic aortitis is often atypical and available serological tests are non-specific. The diagnostic gold standard remains direct identification of microorganisms in tissue. We present a case of syphilitic aortitis that presented as a mediastinal mass and report the use of polymerase chain reaction for Treponema pallidum to diagnose syphilitic aortic disease.

  • syphilis
  • aortic aneurysm
  • polymerase chain reaction

https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax.57.10.917

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