Persistence of Treponema pallidum Following Penicillin G Therapy

Abstract

The isolation ofTreponema pallidumfrom cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from two adult patients, both of whom had normal CSF values except for positive fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) tests and both of whom had received currently recommended courses of penicillin, raises important considerations in the treatment of neurosyphilis in adults. (JAMA236:2206-2207, 1976)