Syphilis and Liver Involvement

Liver Involvement in Syphilis

Secondary syphilis involves virtually all organ systems, including potential liver involvement, according to the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1
In late (tertiary) syphilis, the liver can be affected by gummatous lesions 2
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that tertiary syphilis can involve abdominal organs, including the liver 3

Diagnosis of syphilitic hepatitis requires positive serologic tests for syphilis and evidence of liver dysfunction, as noted by the Praxis Medical Insights 3
The standard treatment for syphilitic hepatitis is the same as for the corresponding stage of syphilis, with Benzathine penicillin G being the recommended treatment 3
Concurrent HIV infection may modify the clinical presentation and accelerate progression of syphilitic disease, including hepatic involvement, according to the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1