Development of -a basic membrane protein gene- targeted nested PCR Assay for the direct detection of T. pallidum DNA in specimens from patients with suspected syphilis

ABSTRACT

We report the development of a nested-PCR-based assay targeting the basic membrane protein gene for the detection of T. pallidum DNA in specimens from patients with genital ulcer disease. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were assessed. The detection limit is down to 28 copies per reaction when analyzed on gel. The technique was then applied to genital ulcer samples from 51 patients with suspected syphilis, who were also tested by serological methods. We obtained positive reactions for 15 specimens out of 16 specimens from patients with primary and secondary syphilis and negative results for all the non-syphilis group. Nested PCR is here compared with other diagnostic methods currently used in diagnosis of venereal syphilis. PCR successfully detected T. pallidum from oral, genital, and anal ulcers present during primary or secondary syphilis and the results correlated well with the serology