title: [Meningeal attacks during the course of congenital syphilis and therapeutic consequences].
abstract: In a study carried out in Gabon, antibodies against the treponema were looked for in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 13 children with active congenital syphilis (presence of specific IgM antibodies) and in 7 children with positive serologic reactions reflecting transplacental passage of maternal antibodies. Serologic reactions used included the VDRL test, the TPHA test, and the FTA-ABS IgG and IgM tests. Among the 13 children with syphilis, 7 had a positive FTA-ABS IgG test in the CSF without correlation with severity of clinical features, CSF protein levels or CSF cytologic findings. The TPHA test was positive in only four children and the VDRL test was always negative. Passage of antibodies into the CSF is possible (1 case in this study after treatment of the mother), but TPHA is helpful in developing countries of research of neurosyphilis.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine, Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Engohan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mefane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nardou
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Touré
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moussavou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nguemby-Mbina
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gendrel
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M
vernacular_title: Atteinte méningée au cours de la syphilis congénitale et conséquences thérapeutiques.