Recent observations in the serology of syphilis.

SEROLOGY OF SYPHILIS BASED ON RECENT OBSERVATIONS*t

Physicians and serologists have faced a number of questions associated with sero-diagnostic reactions in syphilis which have been difficult to answer. For example, it may be asked how is it possible for serum reactions employing lipid antigens, apparently unrelated to the Treponema pallidum, to behave as though they were specifically associated with syphilis, as shown by the remarkable parallel...

SEROLOGY OF SYPHILIS BASED ON RECENT OBSERVATIONS*t

Physicians and serologists have faced a number of questions associated with sero-diagnostic reactions in syphilis which have been difficult to answer. For example, it may be asked how is it possible for serum reactions employing lipid antigens, apparently unrelated to the Treponema pallidum, to behave as though they were specifically associated with syphilis, as shown by the remarkable parallel...

Development of a real-time PCR assay to detect Treponema pallidum in clinical specimens and assessment of the assay's performance by comparison with serological testing.

The incidence of infectious syphilis in men who have sex with men and human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients has increased steadily in Victoria, Australia, since 2002. A TaqMan real-time PCR assay targeting the polA gene of Treponema pallidum (TpPCR) was developed. The analytical sensitivity of the assay was estimated to be 1.75 target copies per reaction. Initially, the assay was used ...

Recent progress in venereal disease. Serology of syphilis.

Biological false reactive VDRL tests: when to re-test?

Syphilis serology is a basic screening test for the workers who want to go abroad. Many countries reject migrant workers who have reactive syphilis serology. Biological false reactives warrant repeated syphilis serology. We prospectively studied 30 patients (25 males and 5 females) who had biological false reactive VDRL tests (VDRL reactive, confirmatory TPHA negative). Affirmative tests for sy...

Screening for syphilis with the treponemal immunoassay: analysis of discordant serology results and implications for clinical management.

BACKGROUND Screening for syphilis with treponemal chemiluminescence immunoassays (CIA) identifies patients with discordant serology who are not identified with traditional screening methods (eg, CIA-positive, rapid plasma regain (RPR)-negative). We sought to describe the clinical characteristics and management of patients with discordant syphilis serology. METHODS From August 2007-October 200...