Confirmatory serological testing of blood donors positive on TPHA screening in Singapore

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 760-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
S S Wong ◽  
D L T Teo ◽  
R K W Chan
Keyword(s):  
Blood Donors ◽  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Past History ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Serological Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Blood Transfusion Service ◽  
History Of ◽  
Latent Syphilis

Summary: Seventy-two blood donors who were tested positive by the Singapore Blood Transfusion Service (SBTS) for Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) test, were evaluated at the Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic (DSC) between November 1994 to December 1996. All underwent syphilis serological testing, including rapid plasma reagin test (RPR), TPHA test and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-Abs) test. All except one (98.6%) were confirmed TPHA positive by the DSC. Of the 71 TPHA-confirmed-positive donors, 53 (74.6%) were subsequently tested positive for FTA-Abs and 18 (25.4%) were tested negative for FTA-Abs. Twenty-two (31%) of the 71 TPHA-positive blood donors had reactive RPR and 49 (69%) had non-reactive RPR. Of the 22 TPHA-positive donors who had reactive RPR, 19 (86%) had positive FTA-Abs (13 late latent syphilis, 4 serological scar, one late congenital syphilis, one secondary syphilis), and 3 (14%) had negative FTA-Abs (all late latent syphilis). Of the 49 TPHA-positive donors who had non-reactive RPR, 34 (69%) had positive FTA-Abs (24 late latent syphilis, 9 serological scar, one late congenital syphilis) and 15 (31%) had negative FTA-Abs (12 late latent syphilis, 2 serological scar, one false-positive TPHA). Only one TPHA-positive donor referred by the SBTS subsequently turned out to have negative syphilis serology at the DSC. Overall, 68 (95.8%) TPHApositive donors who had a past history of sexual exposure were managed as treated or untreated syphilis, regardless of their RPR or FTA-Abs results. However, FTAAbs was found to be useful in the management of 3 (4.2%) TPHA-positive blood donors in the absence of a history of sexual exposures.

scholarly journals Imunopatogenesis Treponema pallidum dan Pemeriksaan Serologi

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Efrida Efrida ◽  
Elvinawaty Elvinawaty
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Tertiary Syphilis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Latent Syphilis

AbstrakSifilis adalah penyakit menular seksual yang sangat infeksius, disebabkan oleh bakteri berbentuk spiral, Treponema pallidum subspesies pallidum. Penyebaran sifilis di dunia telah menjadi masalah kesehatan yang besar dengan jumlah kasus 12 juta pertahun. Infeksi sifilis dibagi menjadi sifilis stadium dini dan lanjut. Sifilis stadium dini terbagi menjadi sifilis primer, sekunder, dan laten dini. Sifilis stadium lanjut termasuk sifilis tersier (gumatous, sifilis kardiovaskular dan neurosifilis) serta sifilis laten lanjut. Sifilis primer didiagnosis berdasarkan gejala klinis ditemukannya satu atau lebih chancre (ulser). Sifilis sekunder ditandai dengan ditemukannya lesi mukokutaneus yang terlokalisir atau difus dengan limfadenopati. Sifilis laten tanpa gejala klinis sifilis dengan pemeriksaan nontreponemal dan treponemal reaktif, riwayat terapi sifilis dengan titer uji nontreponemal yang meningkat dibandingkan dengan hasil titer nontreponemal sebelumnya. Sifilis tersier ditemukan guma dengan pemeriksaan treponemal reaktif, sekitar 30% dengan uji nontreponemal yang tidak reaktifKata kunci: sifilis, Treponema pallidum, serologiAbstractSyphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is highly infectious, caused by a spiral -shaped bacterium, Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The spread of syphilis in the world has become a major health problem and the common, the number of 12 million cases per year. Infectious syphilis is divided into early and late-stage syphilis. Early-stage syphilis is divided into primary, secondary, and early latent. Advanced stage of syphilis include tertiary syphilis (gumatous, cardiovascular syphilis, and neurosyphilis) and late latent syphilis. Primary syphilis is diagnosed by clinical symptoms of the discovery of one or more chancre (ulcer). Secondary syphilis is characterized by the finding of localized mucocutaneous lesions or with diffuse lymphadenopathy. Latent syphilis without clinical symptoms of syphilis with a nontreponemal and treponemal reactive examination, history of syphilis therapy in nontreponemal test titer increased compared with the results of previous nontreponemal titers. Tertiary syphilis is found guma with reactive treponemal examination, approximately 30% of the non- reactive nontreponemal testKeywords: syphilis, Treponema pallidum, serologi

scholarly journals Treponema pallidumNucleic Acid Amplification Testing To Augment Syphilis Screening among Men Who Have Sex with Men

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Golden ◽  
Meghan O’Donnell ◽  
Sheila Lukehart ◽  
Paul Swenson ◽  
Paul Hovey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Serological Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Syphilis Screening ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Latent Syphilis

ABSTRACTSyphilis rates in much of the world are now at their highest levels in almost three decades, and new approaches to controlling syphilis, including diagnostic tests with shorter window periods, are urgently needed. We compared the sensitivity of syphilis serological testing using the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test with that of the combination of serological testing and an experimental 23S rRNATreponema pallidumreal-time transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay performed on rectal and pharyngeal mucosal swabs.T. pallidumPCR assays for thetpp47gene were performed on all TMA-positive specimens, as well as specimens from 20 randomly selected TMA-negative men. A total of 545 men who have sex with men (MSM) who were seen in a sexually transmitted disease clinic provided 506 pharyngeal specimens and 410 rectal specimens with valid TMA results. Twenty-two men (4%) were diagnosed with syphilis on the basis of positive RPR test results and clinical diagnoses, including 3 men with primary infections, 8 with secondary syphilis, 9 with early latent syphilis, 1 with late latent syphilis, and 1 with an unstaged infection. Two additional men were diagnosed based on positive rectal mucosal TMA assay results alone, and both also tested positive by PCR assay. At least 1 specimen was TMA positive for 12 of 24 men with syphilis (sensitivity, 50% [95% confidence interval [CI], 29 to 71%]). RPR testing and clinical diagnosis were 92% sensitive (95% CI, 73 to 99%) in identifying infected men. Combining mucosal TMA testing and serological testing may increase the sensitivity of syphilis screening in high-risk populations.

scholarly journals Double Morphology: Tertiary Syphilis and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome—A Rare Association

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
R. M. Ngwanya ◽  
B. Kakande ◽  
N. P. Khumalo
Keyword(s):  
Past History ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Tertiary Syphilis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Generalized Lymphadenopathy ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Cluster Of Differentiation

Background. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum coinfection is relatively common and accounts for about 25% of primary and secondary syphilis. Tertiary syphilis in HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected patients is vanishingly rare. This is most likely due to early treatment of cases of primary and secondary syphilis. There is rapid progression to tertiary syphilis in HIV-infected patients. Case Presentation. A 49-year-old woman diagnosed with HIV Type 1 infection and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count of 482 presented with a four-week history of multiple crusted plaques, nodules, and ulcers on her face, arms, and abdomen. Her past history revealed red painful eyes six months prior to this presentation. She had generalized lymphadenopathy, no alopecia, and no palmar-plantar or mucosal lesions. There were no features suggestive of secondary syphilis. Neurological examination was normal. Her rapid plasma reagin test was positive to a titer of 64. She was treated with Penicillin G 20 mu IVI daily for 2 weeks. Conclusion. Penicillin remains the treatment of choice in syphilitic infected HIV negative and HIV-infected individuals. In neurosyphilis, the dose of Penicillin GIVI is 18–24 mu daily for 10–14 days. This case report demonstrates the importance of excluding syphilis in any HIV-infected patient.

scholarly journals HIV-1/2 indeterminate Western blot results: follow-up of asymptomatic blood donors in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

1999 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.B.F. CARNEIRO-PROIETTI ◽  
I.W. CUNHA ◽  
M.M. SOUZA ◽  
D.R. OLIVEIRA ◽  
N.M. MESQUITA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Past History ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
History Of ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Hiv 1

The clinical and public health importance of indeterminate results in HIV-1/2 testing is still difficult to evaluate in volunteer blood donors. At Fundação Hemominas, HIV-1/2 ELISA is used as the screening test and, if reactive, is followed by Western blot (WB). We have evaluated 84 blood donors who had repeatedly reactive ELISA tests for HIV-1/2, but indeterminate WB results. Sixteen of the 84 donors (19.0%) had history of sexually transmitted diseases; 18/84 (21.4%) informed receiving or paying for sex; 3/84 (3.6%) had homosexual contact; 2/26 women (7.6%) had past history of multiple illegal abortions and 3/84 (3.6%) had been previously transfused. Four out of 62 donors (6.5%) had positive anti-nuclear factor (Hep2), with titles up to 1:640. Parasitological examination of the stool revealed eggs of S. mansoni in 4/62 (6.4%) donors and other parasites in 8/62 (12.9%). Five (5.9%) of the subjects presented overt seroconversion for HIV-1/2, 43/84 (51.2%) had negative results on the last visit, while 36/84 (42.9%) remained WB indeterminate. Although some conditions could be found associated with the HIV-1/2 indeterminate WB results and many donors had past of risky behavior, the significance of the majority of the results remains to be determined.

scholarly journals Rare Case of Four Osseous Lesions of the Skull in a Patient with Secondary Syphilis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jace Kusler ◽  
Supha Arthurs
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Bone Involvement ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Rare Manifestation

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis can present as primary, secondary, tertiary, or congenital. It can have an effect on many different organ systems and tissues leading to a wide variety of symptoms and complications; one rare manifestation is bone involvement. The patient in this case was diagnosed with secondary and early neurosyphilis and was also found to have skull lesions that were due to Treponema pallidum. There are guidelines for the treatment of primary, secondary, tertiary, and congenital syphilis; however, there are currently no guidelines for the treatment of syphilis with bone involvement.

scholarly journals Secondary Syphilis During Pregnancy: The Importance of Screening and Clinical Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Indah Purnamasari ◽  
Jusuf Barakbah ◽  
Sunarko Martodiharjo ◽  
Dwi Murtiastutik ◽  
Maylita Sari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Venereal Disease ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Fishy Odor ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
History Of ◽  
Obstetric Ultrasonography ◽  
Maternal Syphilis ◽  
Sexual Promiscuity

Background: Syphilis is one of the most serious sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, and has tremendous consequences for the mother and her developing fetus if left untreated. The burden of morbidity and mortality due to congenital syphilis is high. Purpose: Screening and prompt to know the importance of treatment of syphilis during pregnancy. Case: A 32-year-old multigravida in 5 months of pregnancy presented with multiple raised lesions over her labia. It was accompanied by fluor and smelly fishy odor. There was no history of genital ulcers in either spouse and no history of sexual promiscuity. History of antenatal care in public health showed non-reactive status of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. Clinical examination revealed multiple flat, moist warts over her labia mayora and minora, and multiple roseola syphilitica on the plantar pedis sinistra. Darkfield microscopic examination presence spirochete, venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) titer was 1:16 and T. pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPHA) titer was 1:2560. Obstetric ultrasonography examination was suggestive no mayor congenital abnormalities. Both of serology VDRL and TPHA were non-reactive in her husband. Significant of lesion improvement and decrease a fourfold titer serologic in VDRL (1:4) and TPHA (1:320) as follow-up 3 months after being treated with single intra-muscular injections of benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units. Discussion: Coordinated prenatal care and treatment are vital. It’s implemented before the fourth month of pregnancy to reduce vertical transmission and all associated side effects of congenital syphilis. Penicillin is highly efficacious in maternal syphilis and prevention of congenital syphilis. Conclusion: Universal screening and adequate pregnancy care must be a priority.

Prevalence of HPV in a Melbourne Female STD Population: Comparison of RNA and DNA Probes in Detecting HPV by Dot Blot Hybridization

1993 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Borg ◽  
G Medley ◽  
S M Garland
Keyword(s):  
Past History ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Condylomata Acuminata ◽  
Dot Blot ◽  
Hpv Dna ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Dot Blot Hybridization ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cytological Features ◽  
Dna Types

A total of 377 women, consecutively selected as first attenders to a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Melbourne, Australia, were examined for overt Condylomata acuminata and were screened for genital HPV DNA types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and (35) using 2 dot blot hybridization methods. Overall, there was a 90% positivity correlation between the 2 methods with HPV DNA being detected in 12% of ectocervical samples. Overt warts were found in 15% of the women and HPV DNA was detected at the cervix in 35% with cytology predicting HPV with or without dysplasia in 27%. Thirteen percent had a past history of warts but none on examination and HPV DNA was evident in 16% while 18% had cytological features of HPV. Those with no warts evident and no past history of warts had both HPV DNA and cytological features of HPV in 7%.

scholarly journals Manifestações orais da sífilis: revisão sistematizada de literatura

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erison Santana Santos ◽  
Jamile de Oliveira Sá ◽  
Rachel Lamarck
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Oral Manifestations ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Probable Case ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Global Epidemiology ◽  
Head Neck

A sífilis é uma infecção bacteriana exclusiva de seres humanos que é transmitida principalmente através de relações sexuais sem o uso de preservativos. Embora seja mais comum em regiões genitais, pode manifestar sinais e sintomas na cavidade oral e mimetizar lesões potencialmente malignas e, dependendo do seu estágio, pode levar ao óbito. O objetivo desse estudo foi realizar uma revisão de literatura a fim de conhecer as principais manifestações orais da sífilis. Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico na base de dados PubMed e SciELO. A busca foi realizada durante o mês de agosto e setembro de 2018. No PubMed, foram utilizados os termos “syphilis oral”, “manifestations of syphilis”, “syphilis in oral cavity”, “syphilis in buccal cavity”, “syphilis in mouth”. Na SciELO, foram usadas os descritores: “oral manifestations of syphilis”, “manifestações orais AND sífilis”. As manifestações orais da sífilis embora sejam raras, são importantes para o cirurgiã-dentista diagnosticar a infecção em estágios menos agressivos da doença. Pode manifestar-se de diversas formas, dependendo do período de evolução da infecção. Sua incidência vem aumentando devido às mudanças de hábitos na população, principalmente nos grupos de risco. Sendo assim, conhecer as principais manifestações orais da sífilis é importante para intervir em estágios menos avançados, visto que é uma infecção que pode se disseminar rapidamente e levar o paciente a óbito se não tratada.  Descritores: Sífilis; Manifestações Bucais; Cancro; Treponema pallidum.ReferênciasLeuci S, Martina S, Adamo D, Ruoppo E, Santarelli A, Sorrentino R et al. Oral Syphilis: a retrospective analysis of 12 cases and a review of literature. Oral diseases. 2013;19(8):738-46.Leão JC, Gueiros LAM, Porter SR. Oral manifestations of syphilis. Clinics. 2006;61(2):161-66.Bruce AJ, Rogers RS 3rd. Oral manifestations of sexually transmitted diseases. Clin Dermatol. 2004;22(6):520-27.Neville BW, Damm DD, Allan CM, Chi AC. Patologia Oral e Maxilofacial. 4.ed. Elsevier: Rio de Janeiro; 2016.Kojima N, Klausner JD. An update on the global epidemiology of syphilis. Curr  Epidemiol Rep. 2018;5(1):24-38.World Health Organization. Global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections 2016-2021. 2016. The WHO's strategy for STI treatment.Carbone PN, Capra GG, Nelson BL. Oral Secondary Syphilis. Head Neck Pathol. 2016; 10(2):206-8.Dickenson AJ, Currie WJ, Avery BS. Screening for syphilis in patients with carcinoma of the tongue. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1995;33(5):319-20.Ficarra G, Carlos R. Syphilis: the renaissance of a old disease with oral implications. Head Neck Pathol. 2009;3(3):195-206.Gaul JS, Grossschimdt K, Gusenbauer C, Kanz F.  A probable case of congenital syphilis from pre-Columbian Austria. Anthropol Anz. 2015; 72(4):451-72.Jones L, Ong ELC, Okpokman A, Sloan P, Macleod I, Staines KS. Three cases of oral syphilis - an overview. Br Dental J. 2012; 212(10):477-80.Little JW. Syphilis: a update. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2005;100(1):3-9.Minicucci EM, Vieira RA, Oliveira DT, Marques SA. Oral manifestations of secondary syphilis in the elderly – a timely reminder for dentists. Aust Dent J. 2013;58(3):368-70.Paulo LF, Servato JP, Oliveira MT, Duriguetto AF Jr, Zanetta-Barbosa D. Oral manifestations of oral syphilis. Int J Infect Dis. 2015;35:40-2.Scott CM, Flint SR. Oral syphilis—re-emergence of an old disease with oral manifestations. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005;34(1):58-63.Siqueira CS, Saturno JL, Sousa SCO, Silveira FR. Diagnostic approaches in unsuspected oral lesions of syphilis.   Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014; 43(12):1436-40.Strieder LR, Léon JE, Carvalho YR, Kaminagakura E. Oral syphilis: report of three cases and characterization of the inflammatory cells. Annals of Diagnostic Pathology. 2015;19:76-80.

scholarly journals Beberapa Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kejadian HIV/AIDS pada Wanita (Studi Kasus di Kabupaten Kendal)

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Siti Musyarofah ◽  
Suharyo Hadisaputro ◽  
Budi Laksono ◽  
Muchlis Achsan Udji Sofro ◽  
Lintang Dian Saraswati
Keyword(s):  
Blood Donors ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Host Factors ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Consecutive Sampling ◽  
The Status ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: HIV/AIDS are major problem that threatens Indonesia and many countries around the world. In 2011 there were 17.3 million adults living with AIDS were women. The purpose of studies proved that host and environmental factors were associated the occurence of HIV/AIDS in women. Method: The research using case-control study, was supported by indepth interview. The target population were women in Kendal with a sample of 76 women consisted of 38 women with HIV/AIDS and 38 women negative HIV. Samples case with consecutive sampling technique, control with cluster sampling. Bivariate analysis using chi-square test and multivariate analysis used logistic regression. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that host factors significantly associated with the occurence of HIV/AIDS in women were the number of sexual partners more than 1 (p = 0,003), level of education was low ≤ 9 years (p = 0,049) and the first married age < 20 years (p = 0,03); environment factors significantly associated was history of HIV/AIDS on her husband (p=0,001). Host factors were not significantly associated with the occurence of HIV/AIDS in women were history of receiving blood donors,  history of sexually transmitted diseases, the status of drug users, the habit of drinking alcohol, violence, type of job, and socioeconomic. Conclusion: Host factors significantly associated with the occurence of HIV/AIDS in women were the number of sexual partners more than 1, level of education was low ≤ 9 years, and the first married age <20 years; environment factors significantly associated was history of HIV/AIDS on her husband. Background:HIV/AIDSaremajorproblemthatthreatensIndonesiaandmanycountriesaround theworld.In2011therewere17.3millionadultslivingwithAIDSwerewomen.Thepurposeof studiesprovedthathostandenvironmentalfactorswereassociatedtheoccurenceofHIV/AIDS inwomen.Method:Theresearchusingcase-controlstudy,wassupportedbyindepthinterview.Thetarget population were women in Kendal with a sample of 76 women consisted of 38 women with HIV/AIDSand 38 women negative HIV. Samples case with consecutive sampling technique, controlwithclustersampling.Bivariateanalysisusingchi-squaretestandmultivariateanalysis usedlogisticregression.Results:    Multivariateanalysisshowedthathostfactorssignificantlyassociatedwiththe occurenceofHIV/AIDSinwomenwerethenumberofsexualpartnersmorethan1(p=0,003), levelofeducationwaslow≤9years(p=0,049)andthefirstmarriedage<20years(p=0,03); environmentfactorssignificantlyassociatedwashistoryofHIV/AIDSonherhusband(p=0,001).HostfactorswerenotsignificantlyassociatedwiththeoccurenceofHIV/AIDSinwomen were history of receiving blood donors,  history of sexually transmitted diseases, the status of drugusers,thehabitofdrinkingalcohol,violence,typeofjob,andsocioeconomic.Conclusion: Host factors significantly associated with the occurence of HIV/AIDS in women werethenumberofsexualpartnersmorethan1,levelofeducationwaslow≤9years,andthefirst marriedage<20years;environmentfactorssignificantlyassociatedwashistoryofHIV/AIDSon herhusband.

scholarly journals A New Specimen for Syphilis Diagnosis: Evidence by High Loads of Treponema pallidum DNA in Saliva

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuini Wang ◽  
Zhixiang Hu ◽  
Xin Zheng ◽  
Meiping Ye ◽  
Chunjie Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Digital Pcr ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Clearance Time ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Latent Syphilis

Abstract Background DNA from many pathogens can be detected in saliva. However, the presence and quantity of Treponema pallidum DNA in patients with syphilis in saliva is unknown. Methods 234 patients with syphilis with different stages and 30 volunteers were enrolled. Paired saliva and plasma samples were collected from all participants. Consecutive saliva samples from 9 patients were collected every 4 hours following treatment. Treponema pallidum DNA in samples was determined by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and droplet digital PCR targeting polA and Tpp47. Results Treponema pallidum DNA detection rates in saliva and plasma were 31.0% (9/29) and 51.7% (15/29) in primary syphilis (P = .11), 87.5% (63/72) and 61.1% (44/72) in secondary syphilis (P &lt; .001), 25.6% (21/82) and 8.5% (7/82) in latent syphilis (P = .004), and 21.6% (11/51) and 5.9% (3/51) in symptomatic neurosyphilis (P = .021), respectively. Median (range) loads of Tpp47 and polA in saliva were 627 (0–101 200) and 726 (0–117 260) copies/mL, respectively, for patients with syphilis. In plasma, however, loads of Tpp47 and polA were low: medians (range) of 0 (0–149.6) and 0 (0–176) copies/mL, respectively. Loads of T. pallidum DNA in saliva during treatment fluctuated downward; the clearance time was positively correlated with the loads of T. pallidum DNA before treatment. Conclusions Collection of saliva is noninvasive and convenient. The high loads of T. pallidum DNA in saliva and reduction after treatment indicated that saliva can be not only a diagnostic fluid for syphilis but also an indicator of therapeutic effectiveness.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document