Efeito colateral da pandemia de Covid-19 no Brasil sobre o número de procedimentos diagnósticos e de tratamento da sífilis / Side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil on the number of diagnostic and treatment procedures for syphilis / Efecto secundario de la pandemia de Covid-19 en Brasil sobre el número de procedimientos de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sífilis

A sífilis, uma infecção vertical e sexualmente transmissível, curável e prevenível, é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil. Métodos diagnósticos e tratamentos são importantes no controle da doença. A pandemia de Covid-19 causou atrasos em diagnósticos e no tratamento na atenção primária em várias doenças e em diversos países, pois interrompeu padrões usuais de atendimento à saúde. O objetivo do estudo é identificar se houve menor número de procedimentos diagnósticos e de tratamento realizados para sífilis nos primeiros sete meses de 2020, comparativamente à média dos mesmos meses entre 2016 e 2019, no Brasil e nas unidades federativas. A redução no número de procedimentos seria um indicativo de atraso no diagnóstico, na detecção e no tratamento da sífilis em 2020. Foram utilizadas informações disponibilizadas no Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais (SIA/SUS). Os achados para o Brasil indicaram queda de 1/3 nos procedimentos de diagnóstico e de tratamento referentes à sífilis nos sete primeiros meses do ano da pandemia, comparados com a média dos sete primeiros meses nos quatro anos anteriores (2016-2019). Indicadores mostram diferenças importantes por unidades da federação, apontando para maiores quedas proporcionais nos volumes de procedimentos no Norte e Nordeste, com ênfase nos estados do Maranhão, Roraima, Pará, Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte, Amazonas, Pernambuco e Amapá.

Syphilis, a vertical and sexually transmitted infection, curable and preventable, is a public health problem in Brazil. Diagnostic methods and treatments are important in controlling the disease. The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in diagnosis and lack of treatment in primary care in several diseases and in several countries, as the pandemic disrupted usual health care standards. The aim of the study was to identify whether there were fewer diagnostic and treatment procedures performed for syphilis in the first seven months of 2020, compared to the average for the same months between 2016 and 2019, in Brazil and Federative Units. The reduction in the number of procedures would be indicative of a delay in the diagnosis, detection and treatment of syphilis in 2020. Information used came from the Outpatient Information System (SIA / SUS). The findings for Brazil indicated a 1/3 drop in diagnosis and treatment procedures for syphilis in the first seven months of the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the first seven months of the previous four years (2016-2019). Indicators showed important differences by Federation Units, pointing to greater proportional decrease in the volume of procedures in the North and Northeast, with an emphasis on Maranhão, Roraima, Pará, Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte, Amazonas, Pernambuco and Amapá.

La sífilis, una infección vertical y de transmisión sexual, curable y prevenible, es un problema de salud pública en Brasil. Los métodos de diagnóstico y los tratamientos son importantes para controlar la enfermedad. La pandemia de Covid-19 provocó retrasos en el diagnóstico y tratamiento en la atención primaria de variadas enfermedades en varios países, ya que interrumpió los estándares habituales de atención de la salud. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar si se realizaron menos procedimientos de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sífilis en los primeros siete meses de 2020 en comparación con la media de los mismos meses entre 2016 y 2019, en Brasil y en sus unidades federativas. La reducción del número de procedimientos indicaría indicativo de un retraso en el diagnóstico, la detección temprana y el tratamiento de la sífilis en 2020. Para ello se utilizó la información disponible en el Sistema de Información Ambulatoria (SIA/SUS). Los hallazgos indicaron una caída de un tercio en los procedimientos de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sífilis en los primeros siete meses del año de la pandemia de Covid-19 para Brasil, en comparación con los primeros siete meses de los cuatro años anteriores (2016-2019). Los indicadores mostraron diferencias importantes por unidades de la Federación, apuntando a mayores caídas proporcionales en el volumen de trámites en el Norte y Nordeste, con énfasis en Maranhão, Roraima, Pará, Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte, Amazonas, Pernambuco y Amapá.

Sífilis, la gran simuladora / 8 SYPHILIS, THE GREAT SIMULATOR. Case report of a patient with syphilitic uveitis

La sífilis desde hace siglos desafía a la humanidad, es transmitida por vía sexual y verticalmente durante la gestación.9 Esta enfermedad se hizo conocida en Europa a finales del siglo XV,13 y su rápida propagación por todo el continente la transformó en una de las principales plagas mundiales.Era preocupante el crecimiento de la endemia sifilítica en el siglo XIX 13.1. En contrapartida la medicina se desarrollaba, y la síntesis de las primeras drogas se hacía realidad. El mayor impacto tal vez fue la introducción de la penicilina en 1946, la cual por su eficacia hizo a muchos pensar que la enfermedad estaba controlada. En un estudio de revisión de literatura se dice que a raíz de la introducción de la penicilina la incidencia de sífilis (y de uveítis sifilítica) fue disminuyendo constantemente hasta finales de los años 90.3 resultando en la disminución del interés por su estudio y control. Con la aparición del síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA).2 se incrementó dramáticamente la evolución de esta enfermedad.En la literatura oftalmológica se comenzaron a documentar cada vez más casos e incluso se ha llegado a hablar de la «nueva epidemia de sífilis ocular¼1 Se estima que, anualmente, unos 357 millones de personas contraen alguna de las cuatro infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) siguientes: clamidias, gonorrea, sífilis o tricomoniasis.7 En el mundo hay una incidencia anual de aproximadamente 12 millones de pacientes con sífilis el 90% ocurre en países en desarrollo (OMS).

Syphilis has defied humanity for centuries, is transmitted sexually and vertically during pregnancy. This disease became known in Europe at the end of the 15th century,13 and its rapid spread throughout the continent transformed it into one of the main world plagues. The growth of the syphilitic endemic in the 19th century was worrisome.13.1 In contrast, medicine developed, and the synthesis of the first drugs became a reality. Perhaps the biggest impact was the introduction of penicillin in 1946, which, due to its effectiveness, led many to believe that the disease was controlled. In a literature review study, it is said that following the introduction of penicillin the incidence of syphilis (and syphilitic uveitis) was steadily decreasing until the end of the 90s.3 resultando in the decrease of interest in its study and control. With the onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). the evolution of this disease increased dramatically. In the ophthalmological literature, more and more cases have been documented and there has even been talk of the "new epidemic of ocular syphilis".1.1 It is estimated that some 357 million people each year get one of the four sexually transmitted infections (STIs) following: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomonas's. In the world there is an annual incidence of approximately 12 million patients with syphilis 90% occurs in developing countries (WHO)

A Case of Acute Interstitial Keratitis in a Patient with Acquired Syphilis

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute interstitial keratitis as the first clinical sign in a patient with latent syphilis. CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old female presented with visual impairment and discomfort in her right eye that developed 3 days earlier. The visual acuity in the right eye was 20/200 and corrected to 20/100, and slit lamp examination showed round sub-epithelial opacification in the central cornea with stromal edema and neovascularization on the cornea of the right eye. Whole body tests including serological tests were performed. Under the suspicion of acute interstitial keratitis, topical antibiotics and steroids were applied 4 times a day initially. Serological tests were reactive for venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL). Under the suspicion of acute interstitial keratitis due to syphilis, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test IgM/IgG (FTA-ABS IgM/IgG) was performed; a positive result for FTA-ABS IgG led to diagnosis of acute interstitial keratitis with latent syphilis. During treatment, systemic doxycycline 200 mg for 4 weeks with topical antibiotics and steroids were administered, the opacity and edema of the cornea regressed after 2 weeks of treatment, and visual acuity in the patient's right eye improved to 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: We report an unusual case of acute interstitial keratitis as the first clinical manifestation of latent syphilis in an immunocompetent patient.

Serologic Response to Treatment in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Syphilis Patients Using Automated Serological Tests: Proposals for New Guidelines

BACKGROUND: Automated analyzer-based nontreponemal serological tests for syphilis (STS) have been used for several decades. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated serological responses to treatment and proposed clinical guidelines for automated STS. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed human immunodeficiency virus-negative syphilis patients who were diagnosed with automated rapid plasma reagin (auto RPR) tests as a nontreponemal STS, and who also received the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test as a confirmatory test. The ratio of auto RPR values after treatment against those at baseline was defined as the auto RPR ratio for the analysis of the serological response to treatment. The cutoff value for reliable seroreversion prediction was assessed with receiver-operating-characteristic curves. RESULTS: Overall, 89.7% of participants (78/87) seroreverted and 10.3% of participants (9/87) remained serofast during the two-year follow-up period. We were unable to describe trends in the changes among auto RPR values within six months after treatment because of high variation. All of the patients who had an auto RPR ratio ≥1.0 after six months continuously had positive serologic results during their 24-month follow-up and were classified as a serofast group. The receiver-operating-characteristic curves revealed a 25% reduction in auto RPR values nine months after treatment and predicted seroreversion with a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSION: The most important primary checkpoint for syphilis treatment response is an increase in automated nontreponemal STS six months after treatment. Thus, we recommend monitoring the treatment response with an auto RPR.

Visual loss resulting from immunosuppressive therapy in patients with syphilitic uveitis / Perda visual resultante do uso de terapia imunossupressora em pacientes com uveíte por sífilis

ABSTRACT Permanent visual loss can be caused by improper use of immunosuppressive therapy in cases of uveitis without differential diagnosis of syphilitic uveitis. We present four cases of syphilitic uveitis that were incorrectly diagnosed as being secondary to rheumatic diseases and were subsequently treated with immunosuppressive therapy, leading to permanent visual loss. These cases highlight the importance of ruling out syphilis in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory ocular diseases before starting use of immunosuppressive therapy.

RESUMO Elucidar os efeitos adversos do uso de medicações imunossupressoras em pacientes com uveíte não diagnosticada por sífilis. Avaliação de quatro pacientes com uveíte por sífilis submetidos a tratamento com drogas imunossupressoras por suspeita de uveíte secundária a doenças reumáticas, que desenvolveram perda visual permanente. Sífilis deve ser sempre um diagnóstico diferencial nas doenças inflamatórias oculares, principalmente antes do início de terapia imunossupressora.

Neurosyphilis Presenting with Multiple Cranial Neuropathy

Neurosyphilis can present with various clinical symptoms. We report a patient with multiple cranial neuropathy that, mimicked tuberculosis, but was finally diagnosed as neurosyphilis. A 38-year-old man was admitted due to subacutely progressive hearing loss. Brain MRI revealed multiple dural enhanced masses on contrast-enhanced T1 weighted images. Brain biopsy of the dural enhanced lesion revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with coagulation necrosis, compatible with syphilitic gumma. Serum venereal disease research laboratory and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test results were positive. Treatment with penicillin resolved the patient's symptom.

Secundarismo sifilítico en infección por VIH, con fenómeno de Prozona / Secondary syphilis in hiv infection, with Prozone phenomenon

Resumen La sífilis es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa, de transmisión sexual, con una expresión clínica muyvariada, que tiene clara relación la evolución clínica, tiempo de infección e inmunidad del huésped. En los pacientes con infección por VIH, las etapas de la sífilis pueden tener formas evolutivas diferentes, habitualmente más severas. En pacientes con sífilis e infección por VIH se puede presentar el fenómeno de Prozona, que consiste en serología VDRL no reactiva, falsamente negativa, que debemostener en cuenta en estos pacientes para hacer estudios adicionales que nos encaminen a diagnóstico y tratamiento acertado. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 69-71).

Abstract Syphilis is an infectious disease, sexually transmitted, with a varied clinical expression, which has clear relationship to clinical evolution, time of infection and host immunity. In patients with HIV infection, stages of syphilis may have different evolutionary forms usually more severe. In patients with syphilis and HIV infection can occur Prozone phenomenon, which consists of nonreactive VDRL serology falsely negative that we must take into account in these patients for additional studies that will lead us to succesful diagnosis and treatment. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 69-71).

Clinical Manifestations of Ocular Syphilis Combined with Neurosyphilis

PURPOSE: To report the manifestation of ocular syphilis combined with neurosyphilis in patients who present with uveitis clinically and are diagnosed initially by an ophthalmologist. METHODS: This study is a retrospective, clinical investigation of seven male patients with ocular syphilis from a single tertiary center between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at onset was 44.4 years (range, 33-71 years). Posterior segment involvement was found in all patients. Two patients had papillitis. In serologic testing, all patients had positive responses to Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test (FTA-ABS) and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA). In fluorescein angiography (FAG), retinal vascular and disc leakage was the most common finding. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was performed for six patients and demonstrated positive CSF FTA-ABS and CSF TPHA tests in all patients. CSF VDRL was reactive in 2 patients (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: All patients with ocular syphilis were diagnosed with neurosyphilis based on the analysis of CSF with FTA-ABS and TPHA. Ophthalmologists play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis.

Comparison of the Results among Automated Treponema pallidum Latex Agglutination, Rapid Plasma Regain and Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination, Rapid Plasma Regain Card Test in Blood Donors / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: The Korean Red Cross blood laboratory centers use Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay on the PK7300 instrument as a primary donor screening test for syphilis, and semi-quantitative TPPA and RPR card as supplementary tests. We compared the results of Treponema pallidum latex agglutination and RPR tests on the automated analyzer with those of TPPA and RPR card tests. METHODS: A total of 1,000 samples with negative TPPA results and 103 samples with positive TPPA results (> or =1:80 titers) were evaluated in this study. HiSens Auto TP, RPR (HBI, Anyang, Korea) and Mediace TPLA, RPR (Sekisui, Tokyo, Japan) reagents were used on the automated analyzer. FTA-ABS test was performed as a confirmatory test to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of HiSens Auto TPLA, RPR and Mediace TPLA, RPR reagents. RESULTS: The concordance rate between HiSens Auto TP, Mediace TPLA and TPPA was 95.5% and 95.4%, respectively. The concordance rate between HiSens Auto RPR, Mediace RPR and RPR card was 79.6% and 80.6%, respectively. Sensitivity of HiSens Auto TP and Mediace TPLA was 87.7% and 90.8%, respectively, and specificity was 99.5% and 99.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the high concordance rate between TPLA and TPPA, there were negative TPLA results which were positive for both TPPA and FTA-ABS tests. Therefore, changing the primary donor screening test for syphilis from current TPPA to TPLA on the automated analyzer requires further investigation.

A Case of Episcleritis as a Manifestation of Neurosyphilis

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of episcleritis as the only manifestation of neurosyphilis. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old female was referred to the outpatient clinic because of right episcleritis that was unchanged during the month of treatment. Her headache persisted, and slit lamp examination showed tortuous congestion of engorged episcleral vessels with swelling in the superior-temporal region of the right eye, but fundus and radiological studies showed normal findings. Serological tests were reactive for venereal disease research laboratory test, treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay test, and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. Under the suspicion of persistent syphilis infection, cerebrospinal fluid examination was performed, and the diagnosis of neurosyphilis with episcleritis was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of intravenous injections of 5 million IU penicillin G potassium every 4 hours for 14 days. The ocular inflammation resolved within the first week of treatment and did not recur. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of intractable episcleritis that required examination for syphilitic infection using serological and CSF tests, and the appropriate antimicrobial therapy for syphilis with follow-up examinations.

A Case of Acute Transverse Myelitis Associated with Neurosyphilis / 감염과화학요법

Syphilitic myelitis is a rare manifestation of neurosyphilis, whose magnetic resonance imaging findings are not well documented. The authors report on a case of a 48-year-old male who presented with acute onset of paraplegia and voiding difficulty and was diagnosed as having syphilitic myelitis. Among tests performed for the diagnosis, serum Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed (FTA-ABS) tests showed a positive result. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed a normal white blood cell count, increased protein, reactive VDRL, and FTA-ABS tests. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical and thoracic spines showed diffuse intramedullary T2-hyperintense signal intensity without T1-weighted gadolinium enhancement. The syphilitic myelitis was resolved after institution of intravenous high dose penicillin G therapy for two weeks. Additional follow-up CSF analysis performed three months after treatment showed decreased protein and negative VDRL. MRI taken nine months later appeared normal and VDRL in CSF was still negative. This case study reports on the first Korean case of acute transverse myelitis caused by syphilis.

Recent Trends of Syphilis Prevalence in Normal Population in Korea: A Single Center Study in Seoul / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Due to effective medicine and improved socioeconomic status, the prevalence of syphilis has rapidly decreased in South Korea. We have reported the prevalence of syphilis periodically in our center since 1977, using the same geographical areas and similar population groups and methods in order to determine trends. OBJECTIVE: To determine the current prevalence of syphilis in the healthy population of Korea and trends of syphilis prevalence during the last 30 years. METHODS: Venereal Disease Reserch Laboratory (VDRL) tests were administered to 12,453 healthy adults aged 20 or greater (12,013 physical examinees, 440 pregnant women) examined at Severance Hospital between January and December of 2005. We carried out VDRL quantitative tests and FTA-ABS tests in VDRL-reactive persons. The results were compared with that of 6 previous surveys in similar population groups reported by the same authors. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS version 9.1, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). RESULTS: The total number of subjects positive on the VDRL test was 83 of 12,453 (0.7%). A VDRL-positive rate of 0.2% was found among the 440 pregnant women, while the 12,013 physical examinees showed a positive rate of 0.7%. Among all age groups, the VDRL-positive rate exhibited a decreasing trend from 1977 to 2005 (p<0.0001). Although there is a difference between 2000 and 2005, which indicates an increase in prevalence in those surveyed as a whole, the increase is not significant when analyzed by age groups. CONCLUSION: During the last thirty-years, the prevalence of syphilis has decreased. But, in our survey of 2005, we found an increase in prevalence. Further evaluation is necessary to confirm the trend towards an increase and the causes of the increase. Moreover, extensive policies and strategies including prophylaxis, management, education of syphilis are needed.

Detecção de sífilis adquirida em comunidades de difícil acessoda região Amazônia: desafio a ser superado com a utilização dos testes rápidos / Detection of acquired syphilis in communities of difficult access of the Amazon region: a challenge to be overcome with the use of rapid tests

As infecções de transmissão sexual, em especial a sífilis, são um dos problemas de saúde mais comuns e ainda se desconhece sua real magnitude, inclusive no Brasil. Algumas explicações podem ser descritas pela insuficiência de recursos humanos e materiais necessários ao seu diagnóstico em zonas de difícil acesso, em diversos países. Nessas circunstancias, exames de diagnóstico denominados testes rápidos têm um papel importante para a identificação da doença, e, na tentativa de demonstrar sua aplicabilidade e seu papel na gestão de políticas públicas este trabalho atuou em quatro frentes de pesquisa: Primeira - validação das características operacionais, de quatro diferentes testes rápidos treponêmicos em clínica especializada em Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis (DST), em Manaus, comparado-os com o FTA-Abs como padrão ouro e a avaliação da aceitabilidade dos testes junto aos profissionais e clientela testada. Segundo- Validação multicêntrica com outros três países participantes do estudo. Terceira – Estudos dirigidos a subgrupos de pessoas que habitualmente não acedem, de maneira espontânea, os serviços regulares de saúde. E, por fim – Estudos junto a populações de diferentes prevalências para a sífilis. Onde somadas as quatro etapas comprovou-se as principais virtudes desta nova geração de testes, rapidez e facilidade na execução e interpretação; aceitabilidade pelos pacientes e profissionais de saúde; favorecimento da decisão do tratamento imediato; dispensar energia elétrica ou profissional especializado. As evidências levantadas por estas investigações enfatizam o papel que os testes rápidos jogarão nos próximos anos, para o controle da sífilis.

Sexually Transmitted Infections, particularly syphilis, are one of the mostcommon health problems worldwide and its real magnitude is still unknown, including in Brazil. The lack of skilled human resources and basic laboratory infrastructure in areas of difficult access in many parts of the world contribute to explain it. Under these circumstances rapid tests represent a promising and valuable alternative to traditionalsyphilis diagnostic. To demonstrate the test's applicability and its role for public policy, this thesis explored four different research fronts: First- the validation of the performance characteristics and the operability of different syphilis rapid tests werecarried out in a Sexually Transmitted Infection clinic in Manaus, Brazil. Fourtreponemical syphilis rapid tests were compared against the “gold standard” FTA-Abs. This portion of the research also includes a study on the acceptability of the rapid tests by the health professionals, as well as patients. Second- Validation of syphilis rapid tests with three other countries participating in a multicentric study. Third- Studies on the use and acceptability of the tests for target groups which do not have regular or easy access to health services and are also difficult to reach locations. Lastly, the rapid tests were tested in target groups with different Syphilis prevalence. These different phasesof the research proved the virtues of this new generation of tests: speed and ease of use and interpretation of results, patient and health professional acceptability, the test increases the likelihood of immediate treatment, and it does not require electric poweror specialized professionals. The results obtained emphasize and evidence theimportance of the role that rapid tests have in the diagnosis and control of syphilis.

Sífilis em gestantes atendidas em uma unidade de saúde pública de Anápolis, Goiás, Brasil / Syphilis in pregnant women attending a public health unit in Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil

A sifilis congenita, por ser considerada importante causa de morbimortalidade perinatal e resultar em sequelas ao neonato, tornou-se uma doenca de notificacao compulsoria no Brasil e meta de erradicacao. Portanto, visando diagnosticar casos de sifilis entre gestantes da rede publica de Anapolis-Goias e avaliar o perfil socioeconomico das mesmas, aplicou-se um questionario e coletou-se sangue para realizacao do VDRL nas gestantes da Unidade de Saude do Progresso. A amostragem foi composta por 59 gestantes com idade media de 23 anos, casadas, com residencia propria e consideravel nivel de instrucao. Foram identificadas 44,1% de gestantes no primeiro trimestre gestacional, sendo que 49,2% nao relatavam teste anterior para a infeccao e 35,6% desconheciam sua sorologiapara HIV/AIDS. A frequencia da utilizacao de preservativos e o conhecimento geral sobre a sifilis mostraram-se insatisfatorios. Apenas uma gestante foi soro-reagente puro no VDRL. Os dados da Secretaria Municipal de Saude e do SINAN sobre a sifilis congenita apresentaram divergencias (p<0,05). Portanto, torna-se evidente a necessidade de fortalecer a vigilancia epidemiologica do municipio,atraves da implementacao de medidas capazes de prevenir a sifilis congenita e erradica-la.

The congenital syphilis, for being considered an important cause of newborn morbidity and mortality, became an illness of obligatory notification in Brazil and purpose of eradication of the Health department. Therefore, aiming at to diagnosis cases of gestational syphilis in women attended in a public unit at Anápolis city-Goiás and to evaluate the socioeconomic profile of them, it was applied a socioeconomic questionnaire to the pregnants and collected a blood sample to make the non-treponemic test (VDRL - Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory) for diagnosis of syphilis. The group of study was composed by 59 pregnant women with averageage 23 years, married, with own residence, and a good educational level. 44.1% of pregnants were in the first trimester of gestational age, 49.2% of those ones had never carried through previous test for the infection and 35.6% were unaware of their HIV serology. Among them the frequency of use of condoms was very low, as well as the common knowledge of syphilis. A pregnant was identified as pure serum-reagent in test VDRL. The data gotten in the City department of Health on of notification of congenital syphilishad shown different when compared with the data of the referring SINAN. Therefore, becomes evident the necessity to improve the epidemiological vigilance through the implementation of capable measures to prevent congenital syphilis and to promote its eradication.

Evaluation of Automated Architect Syphilis TP as a Diagnostic Laboratory Screening Test for Syphilis / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to establish a new syphilis test algorithm using Architect Syphilis TP (Abbott Japan, Japan: AST), a fully automated treponemal antibody test, as a screening test in a university hospital laboratory. We evaluated performance characteristics of AST in various patient groups. METHODS: A total of 1,357 serum samples obtained from patients at a university hospital from June to August, 2008 were categorized into checkup, preoperative, other diseases, diagnosis (clinically suspected of syphilis), and follow up groups. We compared the results of AST with those of RPR (N=1,276) or Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA, N=81). Samples with discrepant results between RPR or TPHA and AST were retested by fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS) and all patients' clinical records were thoroughly reviewed. RESULTS: The positive rate of AST was significantly higher than that of RPR in preoperative and other diseases groups and was the same as that of RPR in diagnosis group. There were no significant differences in check up and follow up groups. The results of AST showed 97.4% (1,243/1,276) and 97.5% (79/81) concordance rates with those of RPR and TPHA, respectively. Among 26 RPR-AST discrepant and FTA-ABS confirmed cases, there were 20 RPR false-negatives, 4 RPR false-positives, 1 AST false-negative, and 1 AST false-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results and literature review, we established a new syphilis test algorithm using AST as a screening test, which would be helpful for detection of more syphilis patients including latent infections.

Current Status of External Quality Assessment of Syphilis Test in Korea / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Current status of external quality assessment (EQA) of laboratory tests for syphilis in Korea was analyzed to find out the problems that should be improved in the future. METHODS: Based on the data from the external quality assessment program performed twice a year by the Immunoserology Subcommittee of the Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory from the year 2004 to 2006, discordance rates were analyzed according to the test method and commercial kit used. RESULTS: Among the laboratories participating in the EQA program for syphilis test, about 90% of them used non-treponemal tests and about 55% treponemal tests. The non-treponemal tests included RPR (rapid plasma reagin) and VDRL tests used in 88% (363/412) and 11% (45/412), respectively, of the laboratories. The discordance rates were 2.2% for RPR test and 3.6% for VDRL. For the treponemal tests, Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) was used in 60-76% and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) in about 30% of the laboratories in 2006. A high discordance rate of over 10% was reported in both TPHA and in ICA methods, possibly due to a low titer (1:1 in VDRL) of EQA samples in 2005. Analysis of the accumulated data from year 2004 to 2006 showed that the discordance rates of TPHA, ICA, and FTA-ABS were 4.6%, 3.7%, and 2.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For syphilis tests, RPR test, TPHA, and ICA are mainly used in Korea. A high discordance rate is still reported in TPHA and ICA, especially when testing samples with a low titer. Further analysis of data and education of laboratory personnel are needed for the improvement of the EQA program.

Desempenho de testes sorológicos para sífilis, treponêmicos (ELISA) e não treponêmicos (VDRL e RPR), na triagem sorológica para doadores de sangue- confirmação dos resultados por meio de três testes treponêmicos (FTAABS, WB e TPHA) / Evaluation of serological tests for syphilis, treponemal (ELISA) and non-treponemal (VDRL and RPR), in blood donors serological screening: confirmation of results by three treponemal tests (FTAABS, WB and TPHA)

Este estudo constitui uma análise do desempenho do teste sorológico treponêmico ELISA Recombinante Wiener lab. e de seis testes não treponêmicos (Laborclin: VDRL Bras. RPR Bras e RPR TRUST: Wama: VDRL e RPR; Wiener:USR) na triagem sorológica de doadores de sangue. Os resultados repetidamente reagentes (RR) foram confirmados por meio de três testes treponêmicos: FTAabs (Wama), WB (in house) e TPHA (bioMérieux). Foram analisadas 2990 amostras de soro. O teste VDRL (USR), utilizado inicialmente na triagem sorológica, apresentou reatividade em 11 (0,4por cento) amostras, com títulos variando de 1/1 até 1/32. Nos demais testes não treponêmicos, observou-se reatividade em um número de amostras que variou de 4 a 14, num total de 20 (0,7por cento) amostras das 2990 analisadas. O teste treponêmico ELISA apresentou resultados RR em 42 (1,4por cento) das amostras analisadas, entre as quais 8 (0,3por cento) se mostraram reagentes a, pelo menos, um teste não treponêmico. Das 42 amostras RR pelo teste ELISA submetidas aos testes confirmatórios de FTA-abs, TPHA e WB, 9 (21,4por cento) foram negativas para os três testes, 8 (19,1por cento) foram positivas para WB e TPHA e negativas para o FTA-abs e 25 (59,5por cento) foram positivas para os três testes. A especificidade do teste ELISA atingiu 99,7por cento, considerando-se o WB e o TPHA como confirmatórios. As 12 amostras que apresentaram resultados não reagentes no teste ELISA, mas mostraram algum tipo de reatividade para os testes não treponêmicos, tiveram resultado negativo nos testes confirmatórios utilizados. Mesmo que o descarte de bolsas seja maior quando se utiliza teste treponêmico, essa conduta parece ser a mais segura na triagem sorológica de doadores de sangue.

Comparação de testes nao treponêmicos utilizados no diagnóstico da sifilis e interferência da inativação do soro / Comparison of non treponemic assays used in syphilis diagnosis and interference of serum inactivation

A sífilis é uma doença infecciosa crônica causada pelo Treponema pallidum, cujo diagnóstico incorreto propicia a transmissão da doença via sexual e placentária. O trabalho avaliou comparativamente os testes Veneral Diseases Research Laboratory (VDRL) e Rapid Plasm Reagin (RPR) na triagem sorológica e determinou a interferência da inativação do soro. Foram empregados reagentes comerciais na avaliação de amostras de soro de 110 indivíduos saudáveis e de 20 pacientes portadores de sífilis, antes e após a inativação a 56ºC/30min. O procedimento técnico seguindo as instruções do fabricante mostrou sensibilidade de 100% para ambos os testes, embora 45% das amostras reativas tenham mostrado títulos superiores no VDRL. A especificidade foi de 100% no VDRL e 97,3% no RPR. A inativação do soro mostrou não interferir nos resultados do VDRL, enquanto que o RPR mostrou maior especificidade para amostras inativadas, embora sem diferença significativa (p=0,248).

Syphilis is a chronic infectious illness caused by the Treponema pallidum, which incorrect diagnosis propitiates the transmission mainly by sexual contact and from mother to child (trans-placentary). The present work evaluated the Veneral Diseases Research Laboratory (VDRL) and the Rapid Plasm Reagin (RPR) assays and also determined the interference of the serum inactivation. Commercial reagents were used to evaluate sera samples from 110 healthful individuals and 20 patients with syphilis, before and after inactivation at 56ºC/30min. In the technical procedure according the manufacturers’ instructions, both assays had presented 100% of sensitivity, although 45% of the reactive samples have shown bigger values in VDRL. The specificity was 100% for VDRL and 97.3% for RPR. The serum inactivation showed no interference in VDRL results, while in RPR was observed a greater specificity with inactivated samples, although with no significant difference (p=0,248).

Rapid tests for diagnosing syphilis: validation in an STD clinic in the Amazon Region, Brazil

Correct, early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis are essential for its control. Traditional diagnostic tests depend on specialized equipment, installations, and human resources. In the search for quick, simple tests, a project was conducted on the validation and reproducibility of four different tests, previously assessed by WHO reference laboratories. The study also verified the operational characteristics and acceptance by patients and health professionals. Samples obtained at an STD clinic were from 541 and 248 patients with 51 and 52 positive results according to FTA-Abs (gold standard) in studies 1 and 2, respectively. The sensitivity varied from 84 to 96 percent, specificity was greater than 98 percent, and PPV was > 90 percent. Reproducibility was > 97 percent and kappa index 0.94, comparing the results obtained by different health workers. The tests took less than 20 minutes to perform, and more than 90 percent of patients agreed to wait up to two hours for the results. The tests presented the necessary requirements for use in diagnosis of syphilis, thus providing an additional option for controlling this disease.

O diagnóstico e o tratamento corretos e precoces da sífilis são essenciais para o seu controle. Os testes diagnósticos tradicionais dependem de equipamentos, instalações e recursos humanos especializados. Na busca de testes de execução simplificada e rápida, realizou-se projeto de validação e da reprodutibilidade de quatro diferentes testes anteriormente avaliados pelos laboratórios de referência da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Verificaram-se também as características operacionais e aceitabilidade dos pacientes e dos profissionais de saúde. As amostras obtidas numa clínica de DST constaram de 541 e 248 pacientes com 51 e 52 positivos no FTA-Abs (padrão ouro) nos estudos 1 e 2, respectivamente. A sensibilidade variou entre 84 e 96 por cento, especificidade superior a 98 por cento e valor preditivo positivo > 90 por cento. A reprodutibilidade foi superior a 97 por cento e 0,94 no índice de kappa, comparando-se os resultados obtidos pelos diferentes profissionais. A execução dos testes foi de menos de vinte minutos, e mais de 90 por cento dos pacientes concordaram em esperar o seu resultado até duas horas. Os testes apresentaram requisitos necessários para serem empregados no diagnóstico da sífilis, dando assim mais uma opção para o controle desta infecção.