The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in syphilis

Abstract

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was studied in 520 men and 202 women with syphilis. It was raised in 66.6% of sero-negative primary cases, 80% of sero-positive cases, 100% of secondary cases, 80% of early latent cases, and 73.9% of late latent cases. It was also raised in sixteen out of seventeen cases of neurosyphilis and in all eleven cases of cardiovascular syphilis. It was concluded that the ESR had little place in the management of syphilis in general, but could be helpful in the post treatment follow up of late syphilis.