Abstract: Objective To investigate if corticosteroid could influence peripheral blood CD3⁺、 CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells in secondary syphilis and the prognosis of syphilis. Methods CD3⁺、 CD4⁺、 CD8⁺ cells were detected in 11 patients who took corticosteroid and 20 patients who did not. The effects on the therapeutic effect of lesions were observed. Results The levels of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ in peri pheral blood were significantly lower in corticosteroid group than those in controls. The proportion of patients whose RPR test turned to negative and lesions cured was significantly lower in corticosteroid group than those in controls with in the first three months after treatment. Conclusion Corticosteroid administration decreases the levels of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ in secondary syphilis and therefore influence the prognosis of syphilis.

Key words: Syphilis, Glucocorticoids, T-lymphocytes, Prognosis