[Syphilitic gastritis with secondary malabsorption syndrome (exudative hypoproteinemia). A clinical case and review of syphilitic gastropathies].

The case is described of a 39 year old man referred for clinical treatment of widespread oedema in the lower half of the body, especially the lower extremities. He was suffering from a gastroenteric protein malabsorption syndrome caused by syphilitic hypertrophic gastritis (tertiary syphilis). The syphilitic origin of the gastropathy was confirmed ex iuvantibus by penicillin treatment which cured the condition completely. The various forms of gastric lues, gastrointestinal malabsorption syndromes and ex iuvantibus criteria are discussed.