Sero- Prevalence of Syphilis among Voluntary Blood Donors: an Institutional Study

The appropriate diagnosis of syphilis is of particular importance because of its considerable importance. Moreover, syphilis being an epidemiological synergy and cofactor in transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. 10,000 donor serum samples were tested for syphilis using enzyme immuno assay and immunochromatographic test. 35 samples were detected by the enzyme immuno assay and the reaming 5 samples by the immunochromatographic test. No discrepancies were noted between these two methods. Respective positive controls and negative controls were used. Of the total of 10,000 samples 35 (0.35%) samples were found to be reactive for syphilis. 33 males (94.29%) and 2 females (5.71%). Transfusion syphilis, although now rate, does still occur, and although routine screening of blood donors for syphilis has been called into question, it is still a legal requirement. Furthermore, there is an increasing tendency to use blood product which have been held at 22 o C, at which temperature Treponema pallidum can survive for longer periods than at the normal refrigeration temperature of 4 o C. There is thus a continuing need for an effective, practicable, and economical serological test.