Malignant Syphilis: A Rare Case of Early Secondary Syphilis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Early malignant syphilis is an uncommon form of secondary syphilis and characterized by pleomorphic multiple round-to-oval papules, some with necrosis, and associated with systemic signs and symptoms. Usually seen in immunosuppressed patients, mainly those infected with HIV, it can also be observed in immunocompetent patients. We report a case in a young healthy woman with the characteristic features of the disease and with favourable skin lesion evolution after appropriate treatment with penicillin. LEARNING POINTS: Skin lesions can be caused by numerous systemic diseases. Syphilis is the ‘great mimicker’ and should always be considered as a diagnosis in those with skin lesions.