<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Serological tests represent a valuable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring the syphilis treatment. Non-treponemal antibodies are nonspecific to detect the infection, but antibody titers are used to monitor the effects of syphilis treatment. A definitive diagnosis of syphilis is made using treponemal tests, because they detect specific antibodies to the treponemal strains or treponemal fragments, which cause syphilis. These tests may remain reactive for years, sometimes for life, regardless of the therapy outcome. Even after successful treatment, approximately 85% of patients remain positive for treponemal antibodies for the rest of their lives. However, treponemal tests cannot differentiate past infections from a current infection. Therefore, we use a combination of specific and non-specific tests, the two most frequently used diagnostic algorithms. The traditional algorithm begins with a non-treponemal assay, and if it is positive, the treponemal test is done. A positive treponemal test indicates syphilis. The reverse serology algorithm detects early, primary, and treated syphilis that may be missed with traditional screening. However, non-treponemal test is necessary to detect patients with active syphilis.</p></abstract>

Serological tests represent a valuable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring the syphilis treatment. Non-treponemal antibodies are nonspecific to detect the infection, but antibody titers are used to monitor the effects of syphilis treatment. A definitive diagnosis of syphilis is made using treponemal tests, because they detect specific antibodies to the treponemal strains or treponemal fragments, which cause syphilis. These tests may remain reactive for years, sometimes for life, regardless of the therapy outcome. Even after successful treatment, approximately 85% of patients remain positive for treponemal antibodies for the rest of their lives. However, treponemal tests cannot differentiate past infections from a current infection. Therefore, we use a combination of specific and non-specific tests, the two most frequently used diagnostic algorithms. The traditional algorithm begins with a non-treponemal assay, and if it is positive, the treponemal test is done. A positive treponemal test indicates syphilis. The reverse serology algorithm detects early, primary, and treated syphilis that may be missed with traditional screening. However, non-treponemal test is necessary to detect patients with active syphilis.

Serological Tests for Acquired Syphilis in Immuno-competent Patients

Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad,

Clinic of Dermatovenereology Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad,

Serbian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Serological Tests for Acquired Syphilis in Immuno-competent Patients"}

Serological tests represent a valuable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring the syphilis treatment. Non-treponemal antibodies are nonspecific to detect the...

Serological Tests for Acquired Syphilis in Immuno-competent Patients

Published Online: Mar 20, 2017

Page range: 79 - 87

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjdv-2016-0007

Keywords
Syphilis, Syphilis Serodiagnosis, Serologic Tests, Treponema pallidum, Algorithms, Immunocompetence, Review

© 2016 Zoran Golušin et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Serological Tests for Acquired Syphilis in Immuno-competent Patients

Published Online: Mar 20, 2017

Page range: 79 - 87

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sjdv-2016-0007

KeywordsSyphilis, Syphilis Serodiagnosis, Serologic Tests, Treponema pallidum, Algorithms, Immunocompetence, Review

© 2016 Zoran Golušin et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Syphilis, Syphilis Serodiagnosis, Serologic Tests, Treponema pallidum, Algorithms, Immunocompetence, Review