Definition: Infections of the central nervous system caused by TREPONEMA PALLIDUM which present with a variety of clinical syndromes. The initial phase of infection usually causes a mild or asymptomatic meningeal reaction. The meningovascular form may present acutely as BRAIN INFARCTION. The infection may also remain subclinical for several years. Late syndromes include general paresis; TABES DORSALIS; meningeal syphilis; syphilitic OPTIC ATROPHY; and spinal syphilis. General paresis is characterized by progressive DEMENTIA; DYSARTHRIA; TREMOR; MYOCLONUS; SEIZURES; and Argyll-Robertson pupils. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp722-8)
Other names Syphilis, Central Nervous System; Paretic Neurosyphilis; Juvenile Paresis; General Paresis; Paresis, Juvenile; Paresis, General; Pareses, Juvenile; Pareses, General; Paralyses, General; Neurosyphilis, Paretic; Juvenile Pareses; Juvenile Neurosyphilis; Gummatous Neurosyphilis; General Pareses; General Paralyses; Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis; Syphilis, CNS; Secondary Neurosyphilis; Paralysis, General; Neurosyphilis, Symptomatic
