Insights Into the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Neurosyphilis

Neurosyphilis is a severe complication of syphilis that appears when the bacterium Treponema pallidum invades the central nervous system (CNS). The pathogenesis of this condition is complex, due to Treponema pallidum that infiltrates the CNS at any stage of infection, which leads to diverse neurological manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic forms to severe neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, the diagnosis remains challenging due to the variability of symptoms and typically requires a combination of serological tests and cerebrospinal fluid analysis for accurate confirmation. Penicillin remains the most effective treatment for neurosyphilis. This chapter will explore the importance of early intervention and ongoing research in improving both treatment outcomes and diagnostic accuracy.