Treatment-Resistant Psychotic Symptoms and Progressive Cognitive Dysfunction

Objective: To describe a case of neurosyphilis presenting with treatment-resistant psychotic symptoms (which responded to antibiotic treatment) and cognitive dysfunction. Method: A single case report. Results: We describe the case of a sixty nine year old man, presenting with psychotic symptoms characterised by perse-cutory delusions and olfactory hallucinations, and deterioration in cognitive functions. He had late latent syphilis re-vealed by specific serological investigation. CT scan revealed mild cortical atrophy. The psychotic symptoms did not re-spond to antipsychotic treatment, however improved following treatment with antibiotics. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the need to exclude organic causes especially in patients whose symptoms resistant to treatment (German J Psychiatry 2008; 11: 153-155)