Challenges diagnosing syphilis in antenatal pacific islanders: A case of secondary syphilis.

Cases of syphilis are increasing worldwide. Missed diagnosis of syphilis can have serious consequences, particularly in pregnancy. In areas where yaws, a non-sexually transmitted infection due to Treponema pallidum sub-species pertenue (T. pertenue) is endemic, the interpretation of syphilis serology is complex. In Vanuatu, where infection with yaws is prevalent, patients may have positive treponemal serology because of the latter in childhood. We present a case of secondary syphilis with an atypical rash in a post-partum woman in Vanuatu.