The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in syphilis.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was studied in 520 men and 202 women with syphilis. It was raised in 66-6 per cent. of sero-negative primary cases, 80 per cent. of sero-positive cases, 100 per cent. of secondary cases, 80 per cent. of early latent cases, and 73-9 per cent. of late latent cases. It was also raised in sixteen out of seventeen cases of neurosyphilis and in all eleven cases of cardiovascular syphilis. It was concluded that the ESR had little place in the management of syphilis in general, but could be helpful in the post-treatment follow-up of late syphilis.