Specific and sensitive diagnosis of syphilis using a real-time PCR for Treponema pallidum.
A real-time PCR assay with a Taqman probe was developed that targeted the polA gene of Treponema pallidum. The test was validated using an analytical panel (n = 140) and a clinical panel of genital samples (n = 112) from patients attending a sexually transmitted infections clinic. High sensitivities and specificities of 94-100% were achieved using two real-time PCR platforms, the Rotor-Gene and the iCycler. The assay can be completed within 2 h, enabling reporting in <8 h. This fast and robust assay is suitable for implementation in routine laboratories for diagnosing primary syphilis.
Koek
A G
AG
Amsterdam Municipal Health Laboratory and Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Bruisten
S M
SM
Dierdorp
M
M
van Dam
A P
AP
Templeton
K
K
D004258:DNA Polymerase III / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D017931:DNA Primers; C065639:DNA polymerase A; D004258:DNA Polymerase III