Background Recently noteworthy aspect of the problem is associated with an increase in cases of syphilis as part of mixed infection including HIV. Mixed infection syphilis and HIV alters the clinical picture and prognosis of both diseases.

Methods 316 patients with early forms of syphilis were treated in city hospital in St. Petersburg in 2006–2010. The study group included 153 patients with syphilis + HIV (10 - primary syphilis, 117 - secondary syphilis, 26 - early neurosyphilis). Control group - 163 patients with syphilis (14 - primary syphilis, 115 - secondary syphilis, 34 - early neurosyphilis). Ophthalmic and otolaryngological manifestations of syphilis were estimated.

Results Ophthalmic and otolaryngological manifestations of syphilis were diagnosed in 18 (11.8%) patients of study group and 4 (2.5%) - control group (p < 0.05). 12 and 2 patients with secondary syphilis, 6 and 2 patients with early neurosyphilis of study and control group respectively.

In none of the groups ophthalmic and otolaryngological manifestations in patients with primary syphilis were not determined. Specific papillitis (5 (3.3%)) and specific panuveit (5 (3.3%) as well as specific laryngeal neuropathy (1 (0.6%)) and specific bilateral hypoacusis (1 (0.6%)) were identified only in study group. Specific anterior uveitis was detected in both groups (1 and 2 patients), specific angina (3 and 1 patients) and specific laryngitis (monochorditis) (2 and 1 patients) of study and control group respectively.

Among 18 patients of study group with ophthalmic and otolaryngological manifestations were 12 cases of secondary syphilis and 6 - early neurosyphilis. 1 patient showed simultaneous ophthalmic, otolaryngological disorders and diffuse neurological symptoms.

Conclusion Clinical manifestations of syphilis were more varied in patients with HIV. Ophthalmic and otolaryngological manifestations of syphilis were more common in patients with mixed infection syphilis + HIV, which may indicate a more severe course of syphilis in these patients.