title: Direct comparison of the traditional and reverse syphilis screening algorithms in a population with a low prevalence of syphilis.
abstract: We describe the first direct comparison of the reverse and traditional syphilis screening algorithms in a population with a low prevalence of syphilis. Among 1,000 patients tested, the results for 6 patients were falsely reactive by reverse screening, compared to none by traditional testing. However, reverse screening identified 2 patients with possible latent syphilis that were not detected by rapid plasma reagin (RPR).
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. binnicker.matthew@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Binnicker
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jespersen
authors.forename: Leonard O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Rollins
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis*
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