Syphilitic arthritis and osteitis.

Syphilis again has become a significant clinical problem and clinicians must reacquaint themselves with the classic as well as the changing clinical manifestations, new diagnostic methods, interaction with HIV infections, and outcomes of therapy. Musculoskeletal manifestations can be associated with congenital, secondary, and tertiary syphilis and can mimic a wide variety of rheumatic and systemic diseases of worse prognosis. Musculoskeletal manifestations due to congenital and secondary syphilis usually subside completely after accurate diagnosis and antibiotic therapy.