Detection of Treponema pallidum in whole blood samples of patients with syphilis by the polymerase chain reaction

ABSTRACT Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The diagnosis is based on clinical data and serological analysis; however, the sensitivity and specificity of such tests may vary depending on the type of test and stage of the infection. In order to overcome this premise, this study utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of T. pallidum DNA in whole blood samples of patients with syphilis. The blood samples from patients with or without symptoms of syphilis, but with positive results in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were included in this study. A venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test was performed for all collected sera samples. For PCR, the T. pallidum DNA was extracted from the collected blood samples and a specific primer set was designed to amplify 131 nucleotides of polA (Tp0105). The specificity of the primers was evaluated with the DNA of 17 different pathogens. From a total of 314 blood samples reactive in ELISA, 58.2% (183/314) of the samples were reactive in the VDRL test. In the PCR, 54% (168/314) of the ELISA-reactive samples were positive. In both tests (VDRL and PCR) 104 samples were positive. Of 104 positive samples for both tests, 71 were at the latent stage. Based on these results, it can be concluded that PCR with the designed set of primers can be utilized as a diagnostic method for T. pallidum detection in blood samples of patients with syphilis, especially those with latent infection. In addition, it can be utilized as a supplement for serological methods to improve the diagnosis of syphilis.

Descriptive analysis of syphilis cases reported in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil identifies failure in treatment

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Syphilis infection remains an alarming public health problem worldwide. METHODS: This study analyzed syphilis cases listed in the Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration (SINAN) of Mato Grosso do Sul state in Brazil between January 2013 and December 2014. RESULTS: Most of the evaluated syphilis cases would have been preventable through public education, particularly congenital syphilis in children of previously diagnosed mothers and infection by untreated sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of syphilis could be reduced by improving prevention through counselling on the risk of infection, improving access to condoms, and increasing the frequency of diagnostic tests.

Efeito do extrato da casca de Syzygium cumini sobre a atividade da acetilcolinesterase em ratos normais e diabéticos / Syzygium cumini bark extract effect on acetylcholinesterase activity in normal and diabetic rats

Este estudo verificou a eficiência do extrato etanólico da casca de Syzygium cumini sobre o sistema colinérgico de ratos normais e diabéticos induzidos com aloxano. Os animais foram divididos em grupo controle (C), tratado com Syzygium cumini (TS), diabético (D) e diabético tratado com Syzygium cumini (DS). A atividade da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) foi analisada nas seguintes estruturas cerebrais: cerebelo, córtex, estriado e hipocampo. O extrato etanólico da casca de Syzygium cumini na dose de 1g.kg-1 foi administrado diariamente por um período de trinta dias. Foi verificado após este período que o extrato inibiu a atividade da AChE no cerebelo e córtex cerebral dos ratos do grupo DS (P<0,05), comparado com o TS. No estriado houve um aumento significativo na atividade da AChE nos ratos do grupo TS (P<0,01) comparado com o C, e no hipocampo não foi encontrada nenhuma variação significativa. Esses resultados indicam que o extrato da casca do Jambolão, possui um efeito inibitório da AChE no cerebelo e córtex cerebral e um efeito ativador sobre essa enzima no estriado, indicando uma possível alteração na funcionalidade do sistema colinérgico nestas estruturas cerebrais.