Testing performance of PCR for detection of T. pallidum from maternal and neonatal hematologic samples

Diagnostics for congenital syphilis (CS) relies on multiple factors resulting in prolonged monitoring to determine neonatal infection. This results from the lack of sensitive tests confirm maternal infection and detect CS at birth. Novel molecular tests, including real-time PCR assays targeting T. pallidum-specific genes, have been developed improve sensitivity pathogen detection. The aim this study is utility detection pallidum hematologic samples collected a cohort maternal/neonatal dyads risk syphilis. Whole blood (WB) or serum (S) patients with their newborns (NB) were between 6/2020-12/2020 site. Molecular testing using polA assay was done CDC. compared cases diagnosed according current CDC STD treatment guidelines. Clinical follow up until seronegative status confirmed all dyads. During period, 6 pregnant delivered site (Table 1). All treated guidelines > 28 days before delivery. WB and/or S Specimens 4 tested negative by (patients A-D). sample NB patient E positive PCR, representing failure re-infection. Patient negative. One additional set & F prior DNA detected pretreatment mother. After treatment, RPR titers displayed 4-fold decrease delivery, indicating successful treatment. her clinical dyad. These suggest that may be used as an adjunct diagnosis CS; research needed larger size.