Neurological manifestations of syphilis-HIV coinfection in South Africa

Syphilis and HIV coinfection is highly prevalent in South Africa, and both can cause neurological complications. We describe the clinical presentation and outcome of neurosyphilis in patients with and without HIV coinfection diagnosed at a tertiary facility, Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), in South Africa. We retrospectively analyzed folders of adults with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test in 2018 and 2019, with follow-up data collected until 2022. HIV-coinfection was identified in 35% of the 69 included patients. Patients with HIV-coinfection were more likely to be female (58% vs 25% female, p