Positive serological tests for syphilis and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin.
We report the case of a man who tested positive for syphilis following the intravenous administration of human normal immunoglobulin as part of the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The chronology of the testing suggested the passive acquisition of treponemal antibody. This phenomenon is not widely documented in the medical literature, but is a theoretical risk of treatment, and serves as a reminder to be cautious in the interpretation of such serological tests.
Constable
S A
SA
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street Medical School, Ashton Street, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK. s.constable@liverpool.ac.uk
Parry
C M
CM
Enevoldson
T P
TP
Bradley
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013587:Syphilis / Q000635:transmission*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous