Malignant syphilis, also known as lues maligna, is an uncommon and aggressive variant of secondary syphilis. It is most often reported in individuals with compromised immunity, particularly those living with HIV. However, rare cases have been documented in immunocompetent patients, making diagnosis challenging and frequently delayed.
This condition represents an exaggerated inflammatory response to Treponema pallidum, leading to severe systemic and cutaneous manifestations that differ from classic secondary syphilis.
