{Reference Type}: Case Reports
{Title}: Neurosyphilis Presenting as Psychiatric Symptoms at Younger Age: A Case Report.
{Author}: Li HY;Wang HY;Duan YF;Gou Y;Liu XQ;Gao ZX;
{Journal}: Int Med Case Rep J
{Volume}: 17
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024
暂无{DOI}: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S477459
{Abstract}: Neurosyphilis is a central nervous system infection caused by Treponema pallidum that imitates various neurological and mental disorders. Therefore, patients with this disease are prone to misdiagnoses. Here, we report a case of neurosyphilis with a psychotic disorder as the main manifestation. A young girl exhibited mental and behavioural abnormalities after a heartbreak, which manifested as alternating low mood, emotional irritability, and a lack of interest in social relations, followed by memory loss. The cerebrospinal fluid protein - Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test was positive, the toluidine red unheated serum test titre was 1:4, the white blood cell count was 5 × 10^6/L, the cerebrospinal fluid protein level was 0.97 g/L, and the brain CT was abnormal. After admission, the possibility of neurosyphilis was considered and the patient received intravenous penicillin G treatment. The patient's clinical symptom ms improved. This case emphasises that doctors should maintain clinical suspicion of Treponema pallidum infection in adolescent patients with mental abnormalities.