Background: Syphilis is a sexual-transmitted infectious disease that can cause stoke in elderly, called neurosyphilis.
Objective: The authors determined the serologic prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in acute ischemic stroke (AIS)
patients.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed during 1 September 2015 to 31 January 2017. A total 466 patients who admitted in stroke unit of Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, were included. Syphilis serologic test (VDRL and TPHA) were tested. Data regarding, age, gender, severity (NIHS score), stroke classification (TOAST) were collected to assess factors influencing seropositive patients. Seropositive patients were defined as the patients who had positive test for VDRL and/or TPHA.
Results: Of 466 AIS patients tested. The serologic prevalence of syphilis in AIS patients was 12.6%. Median age was 75.2 years (IQR 70.3 to 84.2) in seropositive patients, compare to seronegative patients which had 63.7 years (IQR: 54.9 to 74.0, p<0.01]. Other associated factors, such as gender, severity (NIHS score), and TOAST could not show statistically significant.
Conclusion: Syphilis in AIS patients in Khon Kean was modest, therefore, clinician should perform syphilis serologic test in elderly AIS patients.

Keywords: Syphilis, Neurosyphilis, Ischemic stroke, Cerebrovascular accident