Cerebro-spinal fluid examination in early syphilis after treatment with penicillin

Abstract

In case s having early syphilis, cerebro-spinal fluid:(CSF) was examined 6 months following pencillin treatment in 1173 cases of which 1 case showed some abnormality. In 1288 cases, CSF examination done at 30 months or later revealed abnormality in 3 cases. The initial diagnosis in these cases was primary syphilis in 2 cases and secondary syphilis in the remaining 2 and these cases had initially been treated with 2.4 MU of benzathine penicillin. These 4 cases were now diagnosed as cases of asymptomatic nourosyphifis and retreated with 9 MU Of procaine penicillin. AU these cases were cured following retreatment. Considering this small number (0.17%), it is considered unessential to examine CSF as a routine in early -syphilis.' However in cases where the clinical or serological response to treatment is not satisfactory, CSF examination is advisable.