Birrell, Johanna

Lowe, Michael

Gunathilake, Manoji

Krause, Vicki

2023-05-01

BACKGROUND: The Northern Territory (NT) of Australia is currently experiencing a syphilis epidemic. Neurosyphilis is commonly considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with neurologic conditions such as dementia and stroke in the NT. AIMS: To explore the local epidemiologic, diagnostic and treatment complexities of neurosyphilis in the NT and produce a guideline for clinical practice. METHODS: A database search was undertaken and local and global neurosyphilis guidelines were analysed. A guideline was created based on findings of the critical review and consultation with local multi-disciplinary experts. RESULTS: Neurosyphilis is frequently encountered in the NT but studies suggest it is often under-treated. Dementia is the most common clinical presentation locally. Establishing a diagnosis of neurosyphilis is complex and requires stepwise evaluation of clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical guideline and algorithm have been developed for the diagnosis and management of patients with neurosyphilis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Unit, PO Box 40596, Casuarina, NT, 0811, AUS.

Royal Darwin Hospital, Department of Medicine, Casuarina, AUS.

Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control, Public Health Unit, Casuarina, AUS.

Intern Med J . 2023 May;53(5):738-744. doi: 10.1111/imj.15691. Epub 2022 Aug 31.

0000-0002-5142-313X

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35000259/?otool=iaurydwlib

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/12099

'Neurosyphilis in the Northern Territory of Australia: a clinical guideline'.

Journal Article

Publication