Recommendations Developed for Tests to Support Diagnosis of Syphilis
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Feb. 12, 2024 -- In a report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published online Feb. 8 in the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, recommendations are presented for tests that can support a diagnosis of syphilis, including identification of Treponema pallidum.
John R. Papp, Ph.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues note that depending on whether the tests detect antibodies that are broadly reactive to lipoidal antigens shared by both host and T. pallidum or antibodies specific to T. pallidum, the laboratory tests for T. pallidum can be categorized into nontreponemal and treponemal tests, respectively. To help differentiate between an untreated infection or a past infection that has been successfully treated, both types of tests must be used in conjunction. Newer serologic tests allow for laboratory automation but have to be used in an algorithm, which can include older manual serological tests. Direct detection of T. pallidum is continuing to evolve from microscopic examination of materials from lesions to molecular detection of T. pallidum.
"Additional point-of-care tests and data are needed to increase understanding of their performance in clinical and outreach settings," the authors write. "Additional areas needed for research include well-designed prospective studies on point-of-care test performance in the context of screening algorithms, special patient populations, linkage to treatment and care, and cost-benefits so that recommendations can be made regarding performance and use in the United States."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted February 2024
Read this next
BMI Cutoff of 30 for Obesity May Be Too High for Middle-Aged, Older Adults
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- The optimal body mass index (BMI) cutoff point appears to be 27 kg/m2 for detecting obesity in middle-aged and older adults, according to a study presented...
Emergency Inguinal Hernia Surgery Rates Increased With Lower Country Income
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- For patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, emergency surgery rates increase from high- to low-income countries, according to a study published online...
Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels Higher in Black Than White Women
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are higher in Black than White pregnant women, supporting the use of accounting for these differences in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.