The Laboratory Impact of Changing Syphilis Screening From the Rapid-Plasma Reagin to a Treponemal Enzyme Immunoassay: A Case-study From the Greater Toronto Area

Abstract

EIA screening facilitates identification of probable latent syphilis and earlier serological detection of infectious syphilis, but may transiently cause increases in testing and indirectly suggests that physicians' interpretation of RPR(-) serology may lead to partner testing. In the absence of a true gold standard, implementation of EIA screening warrants careful communication regarding serological interpretation.