Neurosyphilis in Psychiatric Practice in Uganda

Abstract

Fifty-seven African patients from Butabika Mental Hospital, Uganda, with a diagnosis of neurosyphilis, are described. Of these, thirty-four patients were new admissions during the year August 1969—July 1970, representing 1 -3° 0 of the total new admissions during that year. Males were affected more often than females (M : F = 3 : 1), Bantus more often than other ethnic groups, and the patients were relatively youthful (mean age 46*3 years). T h e preponderance of cases were cases of GPI, while tabetic phenomena and Argyll-Robertson pupils were exceedingly rare. It is noted that serological tests and laboratory studies of CSF arc not entirely reliable as diagnostic aids, particularly in developing countries, and that cases, particularly in developing countries, diagnosed as neurosyphilitic on clinical grounds should be given the benefit of adequate penicillin therapy