“Syphilis Seropositivity in patients attending a tertiary care hospital, Mysuru, South India”

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis a multi-system disease caused by a spirochete Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. In
recent years, decline in its prevalence has been observed in the world however in the developing countries like India,
syphilis still continues to be a major public health problem. Difficulties in the diagnosis of syphilis continue to
challenge clinicians. The incapability to readily culture T. pallidum has forced laboratorians to focus on alternative
methods for diagnosing syphilis. Serological tests are the main stay for the rapid diagnosis of this condition.
Aims and Objectives: The study was undertaken to know seropositivity of syphilis by RPR test in a tertiary care
hospital and to compare the diagnostic value of RPR and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test (TPHA) for the
laboratory diagnosis of Syphilis.
Results: A total of 1930 patient’s blood specimens were analysed from patients using RPR (Rapid plasma reagin) test.
The RPR positive samples were tested by TPHA. The seropositivity rate of syphilis by RPR was found to be 18
(0.93%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of RPR test were
found to be 100 %, 66.67%, 50%, 100% and 75% respectively in comparison to TPHA. Conclusion: Though RPR is
routinely used as a screening test, the gold standard specific test like TPHA must be done to confirm Syphilis and to
initiate specific treatment early and to prevent the complications.
Key words: Syphilis, Treponema pallidum, RPR, TPHA