[Interpretation of questionable syphilis serologies].
Serologic tests are essential for the diagnosis of syphilis. In symptomatic patients, serodiagnosis confirms the clinical diagnosis. During the asymptomatic stage, interpretation of serologic tests is more difficult, either because of low serologic titres or because of discrepant serologies. Questioning of the patient will help to find a history of syphilis within the previous months or years, an adequate therapy or no treatment at all. Another issue that must be mentioned is the impossibility to differentiate syphilis and non-sexually acquired treponemal infections.
Basse-Guérineau
Anne-Lise
AL
Service de bactériologie-virologie, hôpital Cochin, 75679 Paris Cedex 14.
Assous
Marc-Victor
MV
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013587:Syphilis / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission