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Dermatology Online Journal

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Annular and arcuate syphilis: an uncommon presentation of disseminated secondary syphilis

Abstract

Physicians should be aware of unusual presentations of syphilis. For dermatologists, the visual recognition of lesional morphology and distribution is a fundamental part of clinical evaluation, which dictates the workup and diagnosis. Secondary syphilis has a variety of presentations, the most common being a diffuse symmetrical papulosquamous eruption. It continues to be a diagnostic challenge as the myriad manifestations of secondary syphilis can mimic many dermatological disorders. Herein we report a case of secondary syphilis with an uncommon presentation characterized by disseminated annular and arcuate lesions.