Cross‐sectional study of <i>Treponema pallidum</i> PCR in diagnosis of primary and secondary syphilis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Syphilis remains a major challenge and a complex diagnosis. We aim to evaluate the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Treponema pallidum (Tp) detection in various types of biological samples in the diagnosis of early syphilis. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including all attendees of the STI clinic with clinical suspicion of early syphilis. One or more specimens for the detection of Tp by PCR testing were collected. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of Tp PCR test was 82.61% (95% CI: 68.6-92.2%). Tp PCR test had sensitivity of 84.6% (95% CI: 54.6-98.1%) in primary syphilis cases and 81.8% (95% CI: 64.5-93%) in secondary syphilis cases. PCR test performance was independent of HIV status. CONCLUSION: Tp PCR test is a fast and reliable method for the detection of Tp in skin lesions of early syphilis, and it is a powerful tool in clinical settings.