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We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed a palmoplantar eruption and positive serologic findings consistent with secondary syphilis. Because of the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, patients with SLE can have both false-positive nontreponemal and treponemal-specific tests. Western blotting was used to confirm a positive diagnosis of syphilis in our patient. Western blotting is one of the most specific tests in determining whether a patient with SLE has syphilis.¹ This case demonstrates the utility of the Western blot with respect to diagnosing syphilis in patients with autoimmune disease.

Report of a Case

A 34-year-old woman was referred to our dermatology clinic by her rheumatologist for a possible drug-induced eruption. She complained of an itchy eruption on her palms, which developed 2 days after a dose of cyclophosphamide for lupus nephritis. She had a past medical history significant for SLE manifested as nephritis and arthritis, with an antinuclear antibody titer greater than . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Comment
Erika Gaines Levine, MD; Justin J. Green, MD
Camden, NJ

Warren R. Heymann, MD
100 Brick Rd, Suite 306
Marlton, NJ 08053
(e-mail: heymanwr@umdnj.edu)