{"id":9731,"date":"2025-04-28T03:47:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T00:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9731"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:54:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:54:31","slug":"what-are-the-most-accurate-diagnostic-methods-for-syphilis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-are-the-most-accurate-diagnostic-methods-for-syphilis\/","title":{"rendered":"Syphilis testing: which diagnostic methods are the most accurate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"195\" data-end=\"613\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/syphilis-test-when-to-take-it-what-methods-exist-and-how-to-prepare-properly\/\"><strong data-start=\"195\" data-end=\"206\">Syphilis<\/strong> <\/a>\u2014 a serious infectious disease, transmitted mainly sexually. Its insidiousness lies in its long asymptomatic course and the ability to affect various organs and systems. Early diagnosis is critically important both for effective treatment and for preventing further spread of the infection. In this article, we will consider modern methods of testing for syphilis and the features of preparation for the examination.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"615\" data-end=\"657\"><strong data-start=\"618\" data-end=\"657\">Who needs to be examined?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"659\" data-end=\"695\">Syphilis testing is recommended:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"1053\">\n<li data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"760\">\n<p data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"760\">people with an active sex life, especially when changing partners;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"839\">\n<p data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"839\">pregnant women (early pregnancy, second trimester, and before delivery);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"840\" data-end=\"924\">\n<p data-start=\"842\" data-end=\"924\">persons with symptoms similar to syphilis (rash, ulcers, enlarged lymph nodes);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"941\">\n<p data-start=\"927\" data-end=\"941\">blood donors;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"942\" data-end=\"987\">\n<p data-start=\"944\" data-end=\"987\">when planning operations or hospitalization;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1053\">\n<p data-start=\"990\" data-end=\"1053\">healthcare and food industry workers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1055\" data-end=\"1097\"><strong data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1097\">Basic methods for diagnosing syphilis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1099\" data-end=\"1213\">Modern laboratory diagnostics of syphilis is based on two groups of tests - non-treponemal and treponemal tests.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1241\"><strong data-start=\"1219\" data-end=\"1241\">Non-treponemal tests<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1243\" data-end=\"1426\">These tests detect antibodies to lipid antigens that appear in response to cell damage. They are not specific to the syphilis pathogen, but are effective for mass screening:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1427\" data-end=\"1599\">\n<li data-start=\"1427\" data-end=\"1510\">\n<p data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1510\"><strong data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1456\">Wassermann reaction (RW)<\/strong> \u2014 historically the first test, now used less frequently;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1511\" data-end=\"1543\">\n<p data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1543\"><strong data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1542\">RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin)<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1599\">\n<p data-start=\"1546\" data-end=\"1599\"><strong data-start=\"1546\" data-end=\"1598\">VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1746\">Non-treponemal tests are sensitive in the early stages of infection and allow for assessment of treatment effectiveness, as antibody titers decrease after therapy.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1748\" data-end=\"1772\"><strong data-start=\"1752\" data-end=\"1772\">Treponemal tests<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1774\" data-end=\"1857\">These tests detect specific antibodies to the syphilis pathogen \u2014 <em data-start=\"1836\" data-end=\"1856\">Treponema pallidum<\/em>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1858\" data-end=\"2124\">\n<li data-start=\"1858\" data-end=\"1913\">\n<p data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"1913\"><strong data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"1912\">TPHA (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay)<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1914\" data-end=\"1978\">\n<p data-start=\"1916\" data-end=\"1978\"><strong data-start=\"1916\" data-end=\"1977\">FTA-ABS (fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test)<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"2014\">\n<p data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2014\"><strong data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2013\">ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2015\" data-end=\"2124\">\n<p data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2124\"><strong data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2036\">PCR diagnostics<\/strong> \u2014 detection of the pathogen&#039;s DNA (especially useful in the early stages or in latent form).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2239\">Treponemal tests remain positive even after treatment, which should be taken into account when interpreting the results.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2241\" data-end=\"2287\"><strong data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2287\">Comparative table of diagnostic methods<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_16hzy_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_16hzy_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2848\">\n<thead data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2398\">\n<tr data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2398\">\n<th data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2309\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Test name<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2309\" data-end=\"2327\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Test type<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2327\" data-end=\"2361\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Advantages<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2361\" data-end=\"2398\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Disadvantages<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2848\">\n<tr data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2621\">\n<td data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2531\" data-col-size=\"sm\">RPR\/VDRL<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2550\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Non-treponemal<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2584\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Cheap, fast, dynamic<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2584\" data-end=\"2621\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Possible false positive results<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2622\" data-end=\"2733\">\n<td data-start=\"2622\" data-end=\"2642\" data-col-size=\"sm\">ELISA, TPHA<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2642\" data-end=\"2661\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Treponemal<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2661\" data-end=\"2696\" data-col-size=\"sm\">High accuracy<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2696\" data-end=\"2733\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Does not display process activity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2734\" data-end=\"2848\">\n<td data-start=\"2734\" data-end=\"2754\" data-col-size=\"sm\">PCR<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2754\" data-end=\"2773\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Direct method<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2773\" data-end=\"2811\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Pathogen detection, high accuracy<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2848\" data-col-size=\"sm\">High cost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none\">\n<div class=\"absolute end-0 flex items-end\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-start=\"2850\" data-end=\"2878\"><strong data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2878\">Preparation for analysis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2880\" data-end=\"2933\">For standard serological tests (RPR, ELISA, TPHA):<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"3175\">\n<li data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2965\">\n<p data-start=\"2936\" data-end=\"2965\">blood is donated <strong data-start=\"2950\" data-end=\"2964\">on an empty stomach<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"3078\">\n<p data-start=\"2968\" data-end=\"3078\">24 hours before the analysis is recommended <strong data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3034\">abstain from alcohol<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"3038\" data-end=\"3077\">intense physical activity<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3079\" data-end=\"3175\">\n<p data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3175\"><strong data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3096\">medications<\/strong> do not always affect the result, but you should warn your doctor about taking them.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3286\">PCR analysis may require material from ulcers or other affected areas, depending on the clinical picture.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3286\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9733\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/themes\/woodmart\/images\/lazy.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5.jpg\" alt=\"Laboratory table with RPR and TPHA results\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3288\" data-end=\"3318\"><strong data-start=\"3291\" data-end=\"3318\">What the results mean<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3587\">\n<li data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3393\">\n<p data-start=\"3322\" data-end=\"3393\"><strong data-start=\"3322\" data-end=\"3358\">Positive RPR and positive TPHA<\/strong>: confirmation of active syphilis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3485\">\n<p data-start=\"3396\" data-end=\"3485\"><strong data-start=\"3396\" data-end=\"3431\">Positive TPHA, negative RPR<\/strong>: probably a past disease or latent form.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3587\">\n<p data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3587\"><strong data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3514\">Both tests are negative.<\/strong>: syphilis not confirmed (but early stages require retesting).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3589\" data-end=\"3640\"><strong data-start=\"3592\" data-end=\"3640\">Target audience and the importance of prevention<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3642\" data-end=\"3680\">This information is especially important for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3681\" data-end=\"3811\">\n<li data-start=\"3681\" data-end=\"3732\">\n<p data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3732\">general practitioners and dermatovenereologists;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3733\" data-end=\"3761\">\n<p data-start=\"3735\" data-end=\"3761\">persons of reproductive age;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3762\" data-end=\"3779\">\n<p data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"3779\">pregnant women;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3780\" data-end=\"3811\">\n<p data-start=\"3782\" data-end=\"3811\">representatives of risk groups.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3813\" data-end=\"3958\">Prevention includes <strong data-start=\"3834\" data-end=\"3881\">use of barrier methods of contraception<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"3883\" data-end=\"3907\">regular testing<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"3911\" data-end=\"3957\">responsible attitude towards sexual life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3960\" data-end=\"4139\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/infectious-disease-panel\/syphilis-diagnosis\/anti-treponema-pallidum-igm\/\"   title=\"Anti-Treponema pallidum, IgM\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"140\">Syphilis diagnosis<\/a> Today, it is accessible, accurate, and fast. Timely testing is not only about taking care of your own health, but also about your responsibility to your partner and society as a whole.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Syphilis is a serious infectious disease, transmitted mainly sexually. Its insidiousness lies in its long asymptomatic course and its ability to infect<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9731\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}