Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain

Korean Academy of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (대한안면통증구강내과학회)
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Oral Syphilis Responds to Topical Antibiotic Therapy but Still Needs Definitive Systemic Treatment

  • Ahn, Kyu-Hyeon (Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Ji, Hyeong-Joon (Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Kim, Ok-Joon (Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Kim, Byung-Gook (Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Im, Yeong-Gwan (Department of Oral Medicine, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital)
  • Received : 2018.02.14
  • Accepted : 2018.03.09
  • Published : 2018.03.30
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Abstract

Syphilis, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, is caused by the microorganism Treponema pallidum. Syphilis consists of several clinical stages that may include signs in the oral and perioral regions. Syphilis is treated effectively with systemic antimicrobial therapy using antibiotics such as penicillin. This article describes a case where topical antibacterial therapy with doxycycline was effective in treating oral papular lesions associated with primary syphilis in a 24-year-old male. He was immediately referred to a dermatologist, and antibiotic therapy was administered in response to positive diagnostic test results for syphilis. Although oral syphilitic lesions may be resolved by dental professionals using topical treatments, syphilitic infections should be managed in consultation with medical specialists using systemic antibiotic therapy.

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