Generalized nontender lymphadenopathy and patchy alopecia sometimes occur. A small percentage of patients have iritis, hepatitis, meningitis, fever, and headache. Retesting of a diluted blood sample may be positive. No culture test is available. Latent consists of the interval between secondary and late.
Patients have no signs or symptoms, only positive serological tests.
Late is characterized by destruction of tissue, organs, and organ systems. Gummas occur in skin or bone. Medial necrosis of the aorta with dilation of the ascending aorta may lead to aortic insufficiency or saccular aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. Neurosyphilis Spinal fluid shows elevated WBCs, increased total protein, and positive serology. After adequate treatment of primary syphilis, the titer falls and, in most cases, becomes nonreactive within 9-18 months.