ABSTRACT
The incidence of syphilis in young children is very low, with acquired
syphilis exceptionally rare. A 3 year-old girl presented to our service
with a reddish-brown rash on the external genitals and perianal area.
The rash had been apparent for a period of 1 week. The girl was
asymptomatic and had no history of sexual contact. Syphilis was
suspected and the Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination Test
(TPPA) was found to be positive as well as the Rapid Plasma Reagin Ring
Card Test (RPR), with a titer of 1:64. The girl was diagnosed with
toddler acquired secondary syphilis. The girl was cured of the disease
after three treatments with penicillin. This report points out the need
for clinicians to be aware of non-sexually transmitted syphilis,
acquired in daily life, by children without a history of sexual contact.