Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis Definition

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Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis:

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)

Synonym: juvenile paresis, juvenile neurosyphilis, gummatous neurosyphilis, general paresis of the insane, general paresis, general paralysis, central nervous system syphilis, symptomatic neurosyphilis, secondary neurosyphilis, paretic neurosyphilis, neurosyphilis, cns syphilis.