Clinical findings in gastric syphilis:
(1) abdominal pain
(2) nausea and/or vomiting
(3) anorexia
(4) early satiety
(5) weight loss
(6) gastrointestinal bleeding
Endoscopic findings may include:
(1) hypertrophic mucosal folds
(2) mucosal ulcerations.
Histologic findings:
(1) Moderate to marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate.
(2) Immunophenotyping shows a polyclonal population of lymphocytes.
(3) Spirochetes can be identified on silver impregnation tests.
(4) The spirochetes may co-exist with Helicobacter pylori.
Serum tests for antibodies to syphilis will usually be positive (may be negative if the patient has AIDS).
Historical findings that may indicate an increased risk for syphilis:
(1) high risk sexual practices
(2) history of other sexually transmitted disease
(3) drug abuse (cocaine, methamphetamine, etc)
