[Neurosyphilis 1982-1989].

We report the signs, symptoms, serological and CSF findings in 27 patients with syphilis and inflammatory involvement of the central nervous system. In 24 patients the neurosyphilis was symptomatic. Most patients did not report previous signs of early syphilis. A CSF pleocytosis was present in 25 patients (greater than 90%) and the CSF VDRL was reactive with a titer of 1:2 or above in 19 patients (70%). The symptomatology seemed not to be atypical for neurosyphilis although a precise classification was often not possible and the diagnosis was seldom suspected on clinical grounds. In most patients the clinician can monitor the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy by simple laboratory parameters which reflect the activity of the inflammatory process. It is disquieting, however, to note how inconsistently this follow-up was performed.