Simultaneous optic and vestibulocochlear syphilitic neuropathy in a patient with HIV infection

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this report is to present a case of optic and vestibulocochlear neuropathy as a manifestation of concurrent HIV and syphilis coinfection. This is an interventional case report of a 37-year-old man who complained of blurry central vision in his left eye and hearing loss in his left ear over the past 2 weeks. FINDINGS: Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes, and the anterior segment was normal in both eyes without relative afferent pupillary defect. Fundoscopy revealed swelling of the left optic disc. Optic coherence tomography and the Heidelberg retina tomograph confirmed and quantified the oedema of the left optic disc. An audiometry showed a left sensorineural deafness. Serological examinations disclosed confirmed HIV and syphilis infection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed no abnormalities. Properly treated with intravenous penicillin, the lesions resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous optic and auditive involvement can be the first manifestation of syphilitic and HIV coinfection. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe the rare occurrence of syphilitic optic neuritis and ipsilateral affectation of the vestibulocochlear nerve.