Use of Treponema pallidum PCR in testing of ulcers for diagnosis of primary syphilis

Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Jan;21(1):127-9. doi: 10.3201/eid2101.140790.

Abstract

Treponema pallidum PCR (Tp-PCR) has been noted as a valid method for diagnosing syphilis. We compared Tp-PCR to a combination of darkfield microscopy (DFM), the reference method, and serologic testing in a cohort of 273 patients from France and Switzerland and found the diagnostic accuracy of Tp-PCR was higher than that for DFM.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Prospective Studies
  • Skin Ulcer / diagnosis*
  • Skin Ulcer / microbiology
  • Syphilis / diagnosis*
  • Syphilis / microbiology
  • Treponema pallidum / genetics*

Supplementary concepts

  • Syphilis, primary