Secondary syphilis and the nephrotic syndrome.

A case of nephrotic syndrome in a 21-yr-old black man with secondary syphilis and diabetes mellitus is described. A renal biopsy was performed, which showed membranous glomerulopathy stage I associated with mesangial hyperplasia and mesangial deposits. The clinical course and the histologic findings, compatible with syphilitic nephropathy, are offered to remind internists (nephrologists) that sexually transmitted diseases, like syphilis or hepatitis B, in addition to human immunodeficiency virus, can have important renal manifestations.