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Joseph Davey D, de Voux A, Shaetonhodi N, Marks M, Frigati L, Kufa T. Opportunities to Optimize Outcomes of Diagnosis and Treatment of HIV and Syphilis in Pregnancy: the Quest to Eliminate Maternal and Vertical Transmission. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2025; 22:30. [PMID: 40263166 PMCID: PMC12014709 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-025-00739-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2025] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need to improve interventions for HIV and syphilis in pregnancy to achieve elimination. RESULTS The tenets of vertical transmission strategies for HIV and syphilis overlap but have varying success due to differences in their transmission dynamics, diagnoses, and treatment. Key principles include prevention of maternal infection, screening and diagnosis early and throughout antenatal care, curative treatment (syphilis), viral load suppression (HIV), early infant diagnosis and treatment (HIV and congenital syphilis). We recommend improved guidelines, provider training and focused research and surveillance, including implementation studies to align HIV and syphilis screening and treatment during pregnancy. Opportunities to integrate syphilis screening and treatment into antenatal and HIV care enable providers to offer comprehensive maternal care. CONCLUSION Integrated HIV/syphilis services ensure a cohesive and person-centered approach, improving health outcomes through streamlined, efficient, and family-centered care pathways. We recommend key interventions to reduce HIV and syphilis in pregnancy and prevent vertical transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dvora Joseph Davey
- University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Alex de Voux
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Natalie Shaetonhodi
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Frigati
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tendesayi Kufa
- National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Centre for HIV/STIs, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2131, South Africa
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Lehman A, Olson N, Foster J, Contag S. A Narrative Review of Congenital Syphilis in the United States: Innovative Perspectives on a Complex Public Health and Medical Disease. Sex Transm Dis 2025; 52:217-224. [PMID: 39499581 PMCID: PMC11878576 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000002093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 11/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Over the past 2 decades, congenital syphilis cases have risen 11-fold in the United States. Although disparities across geography, race, and ethnicity exist, lack of timely screening or treatment is identified in 88% of cases nationally. Congenital syphilis is a public health and medical problem rooted in systematic and societal structural determinants of health and health care limitations. Early syphilis in pregnancy leads to congenital syphilis if untreated in 50% to 70% of cases, with risk for fetal demise, and among survivors, congenital anomalies, organ damage, and central nervous system disease. Prevention of congenital syphilis lies in early detection and treatment in pregnant persons. In this narrative review, we describe the evolving epidemiology of syphilis and congenital syphilis, highlighting unique aspects among women. We explore the role of novel screening and treatment strategies, public health policy, and medical considerations in terms of congenital syphilis prevention. Readers of this review will understand congenital syphilis as a complex public health and medical disease that can be prevented through innovative and coordinated strategies in public health policy, expanded screening, and research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Lehman
- From the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
| | | | - Jill Foster
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
| | - Stephen Contag
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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Caya C, Singh AE, Serhir B, Morin V, Libman MD, Corsini R, Goldfarb DM, Wong T, Xia Y, Maheu-Giroux M, Yansouni CP. Rapid diagnostic testing for syphilis in Arctic communities (the STAR study): a multisite prospective field diagnostic accuracy study in an intended-use setting. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:1335.e1-1335.e7. [PMID: 37330139 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We evaluated the field diagnostic accuracy of a syphilis rapid test (RDT), using serum and whole blood by non-laboratorians in two Canadian Arctic communities. METHODS We implemented a multisite prospective field evaluation wherein patients were screened by an RDT containing treponemal and non-treponemal components (Chembio DPP® Syphilis Screen & Confirm) between January 2020 and December 2021. Venous whole blood and serum were collected for rapid testing and compared with laboratory-based serology reference testing using a reverse sequence algorithm of treponemal and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing. RESULTS Overall, 135 whole blood and 139 serum specimens were collected from 161 participants during clinical encounters. Treponemal-RDT sensitivity against a treponemal-reference standard (38/161 confirmed cases) was similar for serum (78% [95% CI: 61-90%]) and whole blood (81% [95% CI: 63-93%]). In those with RPR titres ≥1:8 (i.e. suggestive of recent/active infection), sensitivity increased to 93% (95% CI: 77-99%) for serum and 92% (95% CI: 73-99%) for whole blood. Treponemal-RDT specificity was excellent (99% [95% CI: 95-100%]) for both specimen types. Non-treponemal-RDT sensitivity against RPR was 94% (95% CI: 80-99%) for serum and 79% (95% CI: 60-92%) for whole blood. Sensitivity increased to 100% (95% CI: 88-100%) for serum and 92% (95% CI: 73-99%) for whole blood when RPR titres ≥1:8. RDT performance with whole blood was similar to that with serum. DISCUSSION Non-laboratorians using the RDT accurately identified individuals with infectious syphilis under real-world conditions in an intended-use setting at the point of care. Implementing the RDT can eliminate treatment delays and may enhance disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Caya
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ameeta E Singh
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bouchra Serhir
- Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Veronique Morin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael D Libman
- J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rachel Corsini
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David M Goldfarb
- BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tom Wong
- Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yiqing Xia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cedric P Yansouni
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Kamolrattana R, Songtaweesin WN, Suchartlikitwong P, Sophonphan J, Moonwong J, Wongharn P, Khamthi S, Sritammasiri T, Puthanakit T, Anugulruengkitt S. Good performance of syphilis rapid diagnostic test kits among young key populations in Thailand. Int J STD AIDS 2023; 34:702-709. [PMID: 37146600 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231174068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of syphilis is increasing among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) globally. Use of syphilis rapid diagnostic treponemal tests (RDTs) may improve test coverage and same-day treatment. This study aims to determine sensitivity and specificity of two syphilis RDTs. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in men who have sex with men and transgender women aged 15-24 years attending a sexual health clinic in Bangkok. Syphilis RDTs used were Determine Syphilis TP and Bioline Syphilis 3.0, using whole blood from finger pricks and venipuncture. Treponemal pallidum electrochemiluminescence assay was used as standard reference. RESULTS From February to July 2022, 200 AYAs with a mean age 21.1 (SD2.1) years were enrolled, including 50 (25.0%) living with HIV. Prevalence of syphilis was 10.5% (95%CI 6.6-15.6), which was higher among AYAs living with HIV (22.0%) compared with AYAs unaffected by HIV (6.7%). Sensitivities of Determine Syphilis TP and Bioline Syphilis 3.0 were 85.7% (95%CI 63.7-97.0) and 66.7% (95%CI 43.0-85.4), respectively. Specificity of both RDTs was 100% (95%CI 98.0-100.0). Performance of RDTs was similar for both specimens. CONCLUSIONS Syphilis RDTs have high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing syphilis. It should be considered for use in sexual health clinics with high syphilis prevalence to initiate treatment promptly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujirek Kamolrattana
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wipaporn Natalie Songtaweesin
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pintip Suchartlikitwong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jiratchaya Sophonphan
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Juthamanee Moonwong
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prissana Wongharn
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasiprapha Khamthi
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Taweesak Sritammasiri
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanyawee Puthanakit
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Suñer C, John LN, Houinei W, Ubals M, Ouchi D, Alemany A, Galván-Casas C, Marks M, Mitjà O, Vall-Mayans M, Beiras CG. Rapid Serologic Test for Diagnosis of Yaws in Patients with Suspicious Skin Ulcers. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1682-1684. [PMID: 37486318 PMCID: PMC10370868 DOI: 10.3201/eid2908.230608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The Chembio DPP (Dual Path Platform) Syphilis Screen & Confirm kit (https://chembio.com) is a rapid serologic test that can be used to diagnose yaws. We evaluated its capacity to detect patients with ulcers that tested PCR positive for Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue. DPP detected 84% of ulcers that were positive by PCR.
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Peeling RW, Mabey D, Chen XS, Garcia PJ. Syphilis. Lancet 2023; 402:336-346. [PMID: 37481272 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)02348-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Syphilis is a sexually and vertically transmitted bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Its prevalence is high in low-income and middle-income countries, and its incidence has increased in high-income countries in the last few decades among men who have sex with men. Syphilis is a major cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries. Clinical features include a primary chancre at the point of inoculation, followed weeks later by the rash of secondary syphilis, a latent period, and in some cases, involvement of the eyes, CNS, and cardiovascular systems. It is diagnosed serologically. A single intramuscular dose of long-acting benzathine penicillin is recommended for people who have had syphilis for less than 1 year and longer courses for people with late latent syphilis. Control strategies include screening and treatment of all pregnant women, and targeted interventions for groups at high risk. Vaccine development, research on antibiotic prophylaxis, and digital messaging as prevention strategies are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna W Peeling
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
| | - David Mabey
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China; Center for Global Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Patricia J Garcia
- School of Public Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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7
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Zhang Y, Goh SM, Mello MB, Baggaley RC, Wi T, Johnson CC, Asiedu KB, Marks M, Pham MD, Fairley CK, Chow EPF, Mitjà O, Toskin I, Ballard RC, Ong JJ. Improved rapid diagnostic tests to detect syphilis and yaws: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sex Transm Infect 2022; 98:608-616. [PMID: 36180209 PMCID: PMC9685714 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current rapid tests for syphilis and yaws can detect treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies. We aimed to critically appraise the literature for rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) which can better distinguish an active infection of syphilis or yaws. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching five databases between January 2010 and October 2021 (with an update in July 2022). A generalised linear mixed model was used to conduct a bivariate meta-analysis for the pooled sensitivity and specificity. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. We used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) to assess the risk of bias and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) to evaluate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS We included 17 studies for meta-analyses. For syphilis, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the treponemal component were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86 to 0.97) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96 to 0.99), respectively. For the non-treponemal component, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99), respectively. For yaws, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the treponemal component were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.66 to 0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94 to 0.99), respectively. For the non-treponemal component, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.55 to 0.93) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.98), respectively. CONCLUSIONS RDTs that can differentiate between active and previously treated infections could optimise management by providing same-day treatment and reducing unnecessary treatment. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021279587.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Campertown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Su Mei Goh
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maeve B Mello
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Teodora Wi
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Minh D Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Oriol Mitjà
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ronald C Ballard
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jason J Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Caya C, Maheu-Giroux M, Xia Y, Serhir B, Morin V, Libman M, Corsini R, Goldfarb DM, Wong T, Singh AE, Yansouni CP. Stopping syphilis transmission in Arctic communities through rapid diagnostic testing: The STAR study protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273713. [PMID: 36094912 PMCID: PMC9467359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intense transmission of syphilis has emerged in some Canadian Arctic communities despite screening and prevention efforts. The remoteness of most communities and limited diagnostic infrastructure yield long delays (≥14 days) between screening and treatment of cases. These hamper syphilis control efforts and may contribute to sustained transmission. Syphilis rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been developed to make screening more accessible and to inform clinical decision-making within the same clinical encounter. These RDTs have been successfully deployed in several countries, but not yet in Canada. Methods and design We describe the methodology of the “Stopping Syphilis Transmission in Arctic Communities Through Rapid Diagnostic Testing” (STAR) study, wherein the clinical and epidemiological impact of deploying a dual syphilis RDT in the context of ongoing transmission in Nunavut and Nunavik will be evaluated. In this prospective multisite field evaluation, sexually active individuals aged ≥14 years at risk for syphilis will be offered screening by an RDT at the point-of-care by non-laboratory trained registered nurses. Whole blood and serum specimens will be concurrently collected, when feasible, for rapid testing with an RDT containing both treponemal and non-treponemal components (Chembio DPP®Syphilis Screen & Confirm) and compared to laboratory-based reference testing according to a reverse sequence algorithm. The diagnostic accuracy of the RDT, using both whole blood and centrifuged serum specimens, will be validated under real-world conditions in remote Northern settings, outside of specialized laboratories. Additionally, screening-to-treatment time, case detection rates, and the number of infectious contacts averted by using the RDT relative to reference testing will be estimated. The impact of both diagnostic approaches on syphilis transmission dynamics will also be modeled. Discussion This study will provide much needed evidence for strengthening rapid responses to emerging syphilis outbreaks in remote Arctic regions, by supplementing traditional diagnostic strategies with an RDT to rapidly triage patients likely in need of treatment. These results will also inform the development and tailoring of future diagnostic strategies and public health responses to emerging outbreaks in the North.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Caya
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yiqing Xia
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bouchra Serhir
- Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec /Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | - Veronique Morin
- Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Libman
- JD MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rachel Corsini
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David M. Goldfarb
- BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tom Wong
- Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ameeta E. Singh
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cedric P. Yansouni
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- JD MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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9
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Vargas SK, Qquellon J, Vasquez F, Konda KA, Calvo G, Reyes-Diaz M, Caceres C, Klausner JD. Laboratory Evaluation of the DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm Assay. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0264221. [PMID: 35638776 PMCID: PMC9241612 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02642-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Because syphilis is a public health concern, new strategies and tools for detecting active syphilis cases should be evaluated for future implementation. We assessed the laboratory performance of the DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm rapid immunodiagnostic test (Chembio Diagnostics, Medford, NY, USA), using visual reading and the manufacturer's electronic test microreader, for detection of treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies in 383 fully characterized stored serum specimens. We used the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) test and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test as reference tests for the DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm assay treponemal and nontreponemal components, respectively. The sensitivity values for treponemal antibody detection by electronic reader and visual interpretation were 83.2% and 85.9%, respectively, with 100% specificity. For nontreponemal antibody detection, the sensitivity values were 65.7% and 69.0% and the specificity values were 88.7% and 89.4% for electronic reader and visual interpretation, respectively. There was excellent correlation between visual interpretation and the microreader for either component (kappa coefficient, 0.953). When restricting the analysis to RPR titers of ≥1:8, the sensitivity was 96.9% for either reading method; numerical microreader values showed good correlation with RPR titers (Spearman rho of 0.77). The DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm assay showed good performance, compared to reference syphilis tests, using serum. Field evaluation studies should be done to validate its use for detection of active cases and for monitoring of treated syphilis patients. IMPORTANCE Syphilis remains a public health problem; therefore, health systems must incorporate screening tools that allow a rapid and accurate diagnosis to provide adequate treatment. The DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm Assay simultaneously detects treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies, emerging as an alternative for identifying cases in situations in which there is no infrastructure to perform conventional syphilis testing, but it is necessary to generate evidence regarding the performance of this technology in various scenarios. We found that the test performs well, compared to TPPA and RPR tests, using stored samples from participants at high risk of acquiring syphilis. Additionally, when the Chembio microreader was incorporated, similar results are obtained by the device, compared to those reported by trained laboratory professionals, and correlated with the semiquantitative results of the RPR test. We think that the use of the DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm Assay with the microreader might help in detecting active syphilis cases and perhaps in monitoring treatment responses in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silver K. Vargas
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Jazmin Qquellon
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Francesca Vasquez
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Kelika A. Konda
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gino Calvo
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Michael Reyes-Diaz
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Carlos Caceres
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS, and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Jeffrey D. Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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10
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Chen X, Mi X, Gan Y, Chang D, Liu D. Disparity in Availability of Laboratory Testing for Syphilis Among Different Hospitals in Shandong Province, Eastern China. Asia Pac J Public Health 2022; 34:346-353. [PMID: 35168408 DOI: 10.1177/10105395221078762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand the availability of laboratory testing for syphilis among hospitals in Shandong province. Basic information on hospitals that provide clinical health service for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the type of laboratory tests for syphilis provided was collected and analyzed using the chi-square test. A total of 410 and 456 hospitals that provided clinical services for STI were surveyed in 2012 and 2018. Significant differences in the availability of nontreponemal tests were observed among different levels (χ2 = 6.624, P = .010) and types (χ2 = 17.752, P = .001) of hospitals in 2012, but not in 2018. A significant difference in the availability of treponemal tests was observed among different levels of hospitals in 2012 (χ2 = 9.937, P = .002) but not in 2018. Significant differences in the availability of nontreponemal tests, titer of nontreponemal tests, and treponemal tests were observed among hospitals with different affiliations in 2018 (P = 0.000; χ2 = 15.274, P = .000; P = .021) but not in 2012. The availability of nontreponemal and treponemal tests for syphilis among hospitals in 2018 was higher than that in 2012 (90.13% vs. 57.56%, χ2 = 121.219, P = .000). The availability of laboratory testing has been much improved. Further efforts are needed to reduce the disparity in the availability among different hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlong Chen
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiongfei Mi
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanling Gan
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Degui Chang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dianchang Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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11
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Bharadwaj M, Bengtson M, Golverdingen M, Waling L, Dekker C. Diagnosing point-of-care diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009405. [PMID: 34138846 PMCID: PMC8211285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inadequate and nonintegrated diagnostics are the Achilles' heel of global efforts to monitor, control, and eradicate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). While treatment is often available, NTDs are endemic among marginalized populations, due to the unavailability or inadequacy of diagnostic tests that cause empirical misdiagnoses. The need of the hour is early diagnosis at the point-of-care (PoC) of NTD patients. Here, we review the status quo of PoC diagnostic tests and practices for all of the 24 NTDs identified in the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2021-2030 roadmap, based on their different diagnostic requirements. We discuss the capabilities and shortcomings of current diagnostic tests, identify diagnostic needs, and formulate prerequisites of relevant PoC tests. Next to technical requirements, we stress the importance of availability and awareness programs for establishing PoC tests that fit endemic resource-limited settings. Better understanding of NTD diagnostics will pave the path for setting realistic goals for healthcare in areas with minimal resources, thereby alleviating the global healthcare burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitasha Bharadwaj
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Michel Bengtson
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mirte Golverdingen
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Loulotte Waling
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Cees Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
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12
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Gonzalez H, Koralnik IJ, Huhn GD, Tantalo LC, Ritz EM, Orban Z, Marra CM. A Dual-Platform Point-of-Care Test for Neurosyphilis Diagnosis. Sex Transm Dis 2021; 48:353-356. [PMID: 33843803 PMCID: PMC8048315 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of neurosyphilis relies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities (pleocytosis, elevated protein) and CSF-Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. In resource-limited settings, the CSF-VDRL test may not be widely available. METHODS We optimized a commercial immunochromatographic strip test, the DPP Chembio syphilis assay, for performance with CSF and tested centrifuged CSF samples of 71 patients with syphilis (35 with neurosyphilis and 36 without neurosyphilis). A CSF dilution of 1:4 was chosen based on agreement with CSF pools with documented results from the CSF-VDRL test and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test on CSF. Using an electronic reader, we obtained unit values of treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies for all study samples and generated a receiver operating characteristic curve; using the Youden index, we established diagnostic cutoffs with optimal sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS Diagnostic sensitivity of the nontreponemal test was 80% (95% confidence interval, 63%-92%) and specificity was 97% (95% confidence interval, 85%-100%) for neurosyphilis diagnosis using a reactive CSF-VDRL that improved after neurosyphilis therapy as a criterion standard. CONCLUSIONS In this small study, the DPP Chembio test showed promising results for neurosyphilis diagnosis. Further studies are needed to assess its performance in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemil Gonzalez
- Rush University Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Department of Infectious Diseases, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Igor J Koralnik
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Davee Department of Neurology, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gregory D Huhn
- Rush University Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Department of Infectious Diseases, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lauren C Tantalo
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ethan M Ritz
- Rush University Medical Center, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zachary Orban
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Davee Department of Neurology, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Christina M Marra
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
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13
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Brandenburger D, Ambrosino E. The impact of antenatal syphilis point of care testing on pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247649. [PMID: 33765040 PMCID: PMC7993761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mother-to-child transmission of syphilis remains a leading cause of neonatal death and stillbirth, disproportionally affecting women in low-resource settings where syphilis prevalence rates are high and testing rates low. Recently developed syphilis point-of-care tests (POCTs) are promising alternatives to conventional laboratory screening in low-resource settings as they do not require a laboratory setting, intensive technical training and yield results in 10–15 minutes thereby enabling both diagnosis and treatment in a single visit. Aim of this review was to provide clarity on the benefits of different POCTs and assess whether the implementation of syphilis POCTs is associated with decreased numbers of syphilis-related adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, three electronic databases (PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Cochrane) were systematically searched for intervention studies and cost-effectiveness analyses investigating the association between antenatal syphilis POCT and pregnancy outcomes such as congenital syphilis, low birth weight, prematurity, miscarriage, stillbirth as well as perinatal, fetal or infant death. Results Nine out of 278 initially identified articles were included, consisting of two clinical studies and seven modelling studies. Studies compared the effect on pregnancy outcomes of treponemal POCT, non-treponemal POCT and dual POCT to laboratory screening and no screening program. Based on the clinical studies, significantly higher testing and treatment rates, as well as a significant reduction (93%) in adverse pregnancy outcomes was reported for treponemal POCT compared to laboratory screening. Compared to no screening and laboratory screening, modelling studies assumed higher treatment rates for POCT and predicted the most prevented adverse pregnancy outcomes for treponemal POCT, followed by a dual treponemal and non-treponemal POCT strategy. Conclusion Implementation of treponemal POCT in low-resource settings increases syphilis testing and treatment rates and prevents the most syphilis-related adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to no screening, laboratory screening, non-treponemal POCT and dual POCT. Regarding the benefits of dual POCT, more research is needed. Overall, this review provides evidence on the contribution of treponemal POCT to healthier pregnancies and contributes greater clarity on the impact of diverse diagnostic methods available for the detection of syphilis.
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MESH Headings
- Abortion, Spontaneous/diagnosis
- Abortion, Spontaneous/economics
- Abortion, Spontaneous/prevention & control
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Developing Countries
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant Mortality/trends
- Infant, Low Birth Weight
- Infant, Newborn
- Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control
- Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/statistics & numerical data
- Point-of-Care Testing/economics
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/economics
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control
- Prenatal Diagnosis/economics
- Prenatal Diagnosis/methods
- Stillbirth
- Syphilis/diagnosis
- Syphilis/economics
- Syphilis/prevention & control
- Syphilis Serodiagnosis/economics
- Syphilis Serodiagnosis/methods
- Treponema pallidum/immunology
- Treponema pallidum/pathogenicity
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Brandenburger
- Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Ambrosino
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Research School GROW (School for Oncology & Development), Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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14
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Wang C, Cheng W, Li C, Tang W, Ong JJ, Smith MK, Fu H, Marks M, Nie J, Zheng H, Tucker JD, Yang B. Syphilis Self-testing: A Nationwide Pragmatic Study Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:2178-2186. [PMID: 31260513 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis self-testing may help expand syphilis testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). China has rapidly scaled up human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing, creating an opportunity for integrated syphilis self-testing. However, there is a limited literature on implementing syphilis self-testing. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Chinese MSM in 2018. Participants completed a survey instrument including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, syphilis self-testing, and HIV self-testing history. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify correlates of syphilis self-testing. We also recorded potential harms associated with syphilis self-testing. RESULTS Six hundred ninety-nine MSM from 89 cities in 21 provinces in China completed the study. A total of 361/699 (51.7%) men tested for syphilis, of whom 174/699 (24.9%) men used syphilis self-testing. Among 174 who had self-tested, 90 (51.7%) reported that the self-test was their first syphilis test and 161 (92.5%) reported that they undertook syphilis self-testing together with HIV self-testing. After adjusting for covariates, syphilis self-testing was correlated with disclosure of sexual orientation to family or friends (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-2.73), reporting 2-5 male sexual partners (aOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.04-3.16), HIV self-testing (aOR, 39.90; 95% CI, 17.00-93.61), and never tested for syphilis in the hospital (aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.86-4.72). Self-reported harms associated with syphilis self-testing were minimal. CONCLUSIONS Scaling up syphilis self-testing could complement facility-based testing in China among MSM. Self-testing may increase first-time testing and has limited harms. Our findings suggest that syphilis self-testing could be integrated into HIV self-testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China.,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weibin Cheng
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changchang Li
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China.,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jason J Ong
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Kumi Smith
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis
| | - Hongyun Fu
- Division of Community Health and Research, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Michael Marks
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Nie
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heping Zheng
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China.,University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.,Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Bin Yang
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection Control, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Shandilya R, Pathak N, Lohiya NK, Sharma RS, Mishra PK. Nanotechnology in reproductive medicine: Opportunities for clinical translation. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2020; 47:245-262. [PMID: 33227186 PMCID: PMC7711096 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2020.03650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, nanotechnology has revolutionized global healthcare and has been predicted to exert a remarkable effect on clinical medicine. In this context, the clinical use of nanomaterials for cancer diagnosis, fertility preservation, and the management of infertility and other pathologies linked to pubertal development, menopause, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) has substantial promise to fill the existing lacunae in reproductive healthcare. Of late, a number of clinical trials involving the use of nanoparticles for the early detection of reproductive tract infections and cancers, targeted drug delivery, and cellular therapeutics have been conducted. However, most of these trials of nanoengineering are still at a nascent stage, and better synergy between pharmaceutics, chemistry, and cutting-edge molecular sciences is needed for effective translation of these interventions from bench to bedside. To bridge the gap between translational outcome and product development, strategic partnerships with the insight and ability to anticipate challenges, as well as an in-depth understanding of the molecular pathways involved, are highly essential. Such amalgamations would overcome the regulatory gauntlet and technical hurdles, thereby facilitating the effective clinical translation of these nano-based tools and technologies. The present review comprehensively focuses on emerging applications of nanotechnology, which holds enormous promise for improved therapeutics and early diagnosis of various human reproductive tract diseases and conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchita Shandilya
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, India
| | - Neelam Pathak
- School of Life Sciences, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | | | - Radhey Shyam Sharma
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Maternal and Child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Pradyumna Kumar Mishra
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, India
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16
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Rodríguez-Granger J, Espadafor López B, Cobo F, Blasco Morente G, Sampedro Martinez A, Tercedor Sánchez J, Aliaga-Martinez L, Padilla-Malo de Molina A, Navarro-Marí J. Update on the Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.adengl.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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17
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McMahon DE, Oyesiku L, Semeere A, Kang D, Freeman EE. Novel Diagnostics for Kaposi Sarcoma and Other Skin Diseases in Resource-Limited Settings. Dermatol Clin 2020; 39:83-90. [PMID: 33228864 DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In resource-limited settings, point-of-care diagnostic devices have the potential to reduce diagnostic delays and improve epidemiologic surveillance of dermatologic conditions. We outline novel-point-of care diagnostics that have recently been developed for dermatologic conditions that primarily affect patients living in resource-limited settings, namely, Kaposi sarcoma, cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, Buruli ulcer, yaws, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis. All of the technologies described in this article are prototypes, and some have undergone field testing. These devices still require validation in real-world settings and effective pricing to have a major impact on dermatologic care in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon E McMahon
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Linda Oyesiku
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Esther E Freeman
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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18
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Janier M, Unemo M, Dupin N, Tiplica GS, Potočnik M, Patel R. 2020 European guideline on the management of syphilis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 35:574-588. [PMID: 33094521 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The 2020 edition of the European guideline on the management of syphilis is an update of the 2014 edition. Main modifications and updates include: -The ongoing epidemics of early syphilis in Europe, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM) -The development of dual treponemal and non-treponemal point-of-care (POC) tests -The progress in non-treponemal test (NTT) automatization -The regular episodic shortage of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) in some European countries -The exclusion of azithromycin as an alternative treatment at any stage of syphilis -The pre-exposure or immediate post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline in populations at high risk of acquiring syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Janier
- STD Clinic, Hôpital Saint-Louis AP-HP and Hôpital Saint-Joseph, Paris, France
| | - M Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Örebro University Hospital and Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - N Dupin
- Syphilis National Reference Center, Hôpital Tarnier-Cochin, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - G S Tiplica
- 2nd Dermatological Clinic, Carol Davila University, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - M Potočnik
- Department of Dermatovenereology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - R Patel
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, the Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton, UK
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19
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Rodríguez-Granger J, Espadafor López B, Cobo F, Blasco Morente G, Sampedro Martinez A, Tercedor Sánchez J, Aliaga-Martinez L, Padilla-Malo de Molina A, Navarro-Marí JM. Update on the Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2020; 111:711-724. [PMID: 32663448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the most frequent and universal Public Health problems. Health professionals should be aware of the possibility of STIs due to their high morbidity and the presence of sequelae. The delay in the diagnosis is one of the factors that justifies the difficulty to infections control. Diagnostic tests allow the introduction of aetiological treatment and also lead to treating symptomatic and asymptomatic patients more effectively, as well as to interrupt the epidemiological transmission chain without delay. In this review we have made an update of the main existing diagnostic methods for the more important STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rodríguez-Granger
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España.
| | - B Espadafor López
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
| | - F Cobo
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
| | - G Blasco Morente
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
| | - A Sampedro Martinez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
| | - J Tercedor Sánchez
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
| | - L Aliaga-Martinez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España; Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España
| | | | - J M Navarro-Marí
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
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20
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21
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Hachul M, Medeiros MVVD, Simões R, Bernardo WM. Sexually transmitted infections - laboratory diagnosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 65:745-754. [PMID: 31340297 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.65.6.745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Guidelines Project, an initiative of the Brazilian Medical Association, aims to combine information from the medical field in order to standardize producers to assist the reasoning and decision-making of doctors. The information provided through this project must be assessed and criticized by the physician responsible for the conduct that will be adopted, depending on the conditions and the clinical status of each patient.
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22
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Forrestel AK, Kovarik CL, Katz KA. Sexually acquired syphilis: Laboratory diagnosis, management, and prevention. J Am Acad Dermatol 2019; 82:17-28. [PMID: 30986474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The methods used for the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis include direct detection of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum and serologic testing. Serologic testing relies on both nontreponemal and treponemal tests. In newly developed reverse-sequence screening algorithms, treponemal tests are performed before nontreponemal tests. The management of syphilis requires appropriate staging, treatment, and follow-up of patients along with the prompt reporting of infections to public health authorities to assist with prevention and control efforts. Benzathine penicillin G remains the treatment of choice for all stages of syphilis. Screening of populations at higher risk for syphilis is recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Preventive Services Task Force, and the World Health Organization. The second article in this continuing medical education series reviews the testing for and the management of sexually acquired syphilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy K Forrestel
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Carrie L Kovarik
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kenneth A Katz
- Department of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, California
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23
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Abstract
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochaete Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum which is transmitted by sexual contact or vertical transmission during pregnancy. The incidence of syphilis has increased in the last years, mainly among men who have sex with men. Without treatment, the disease develops into different clinical stages, being able to present cardiovascular or irreversible neurological complications after a number of years. The disease is classified as early syphilis - primary, secondary and early latent syphilis (less than 12 months) - which is contagious, and as late syphilis - late latent and tertiary syphilis- which is rarely contagious. Diagnosis and management are often a challenge because of its diversity of manifestations and the difficulty of interpretation of serological tests. The treatment of syphilis is based on penicillin or doxycycline in allergic patients. Treatment failure because of resistance has been described with azithromycin. The follow up with a serological test is recommended in all patients with syphilis in order to ascertain cure after the treatment and to diagnose possible reinfections.
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24
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Langendorf C, Lastrucci C, Sanou-Bicaba I, Blackburn K, Koudika MH, Crucitti T. Dual screen and confirm rapid test does not reduce overtreatment of syphilis in pregnant women living in a non-venereal treponematoses endemic region: a field evaluation among antenatal care attendees in Burkina Faso. Sex Transm Infect 2018; 95:402-404. [PMID: 30580325 PMCID: PMC6824609 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives In resource-limited settings, screening pregnant women for syphilis using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is a key tool in the prevention of congenital syphilis. However, most syphilis RDTs detect only treponemal antibodies (T-RDT), meaning antibiotics may be provided unnecessarily to previously treated pregnant women, particularly in non-venereal treponematoses endemic regions. We estimated the potential reduction in overtreatment when comparing T-RDT (SD Bioline) to a newer rapid test (Dual Path Platform (DPP) Screen and Confirm Assay, Chembio) detecting both treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies. Methods Pregnant women in Déou, Burkina Faso, screened for syphilis during antenatal care (ANC) visits were prospectively enrolled in the study after providing consent. DPP and T-RDT tests were performed on whole blood specimens. Plasma was tested in an international reference laboratory by Treponema pallidum passive particle agglutination (TPPA) and quantitative rapid plasma reagin (RPR). Presumptive active syphilis was defined as a result that was both TPPA and RPR reactive. Results Of the 242 pregnant women included in the study, 91 (37.6%) had presumptive active syphilis and 19.0% had RPR titres ≥8. DPP testing did not reduce the number of pregnant women who would have been overtreated compared with T-RDT (0.0% vs 2.5%; p=0.218) and had a higher proportion of underdiagnosis (48.4% vs 2.2%; p<0.001). Seven women with high RPR titres ≥8 would not have received treatment had only DPP testing been used. Conclusion In the first evaluation comparing DPP with traditional screening methods in pregnant women, we saw no reduction in unnecessarily treated syphilis and an underestimation of those needing treatment. High seroprevalence in the population may indicate the presence of other treponemal infections in the area, and further study of DPP in a variety of Sahelian and other contexts is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tania Crucitti
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Gallo Vaulet L, Morando N, Casco R, Melgar A, Nacher S, Rodríguez Fermepin M, Pando MA. Evaluation of the utility of a rapid test for syphilis at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7542. [PMID: 29765114 PMCID: PMC5954144 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25941-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though syphilis can be easily diagnosed by simple and low-cost laboratory methods, it continues to be an important health problem. Rapid tests (RT) for the detection of treponemal antibodies can facilitate earlier diagnosis, access to treatment and linkage to care. The aim of this study was to analyse the usefulness of the incorporation of a RT in the detection of patients infected with T. pallidum in a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Between March and December 2015, a syphilis RT was offered to patients who spontaneously attended the clinic. Conventional serology testing was additionally indicated to every participant. The RT for syphilis was offered to 1887 patients, of whom 31.1% agreed to get tested. VDRL test was performed in 84.0% of patients that were also tested with syphilis RT, with a significantly higher frequency observed among participants with reactive RT (94.3% vs. 79.8%, p < 0.001). These results showed that 33.7% of the participants were reactive for the RT and 27.0% were reactive for the VDRL test. Both tests were reactive in 24.9% and non-reactive in 64.3%. A high prevalence of active syphilis was detected in patients attending the clinic. The use of a syphilis RT had a positive impact, which in combination with the VDRL test increased the number of patients that were effectively diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Gallo Vaulet
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Inmunología y Virología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Morando
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Casco
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Programa de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Asunta Melgar
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Programa de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Nacher
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Inmunología y Virología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rodríguez Fermepin
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Inmunología y Virología Clínica, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A Pando
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Marks M, Esau T, Asugeni R, Harrington R, Diau J, Toloka H, Asugeni J, Ansbro E, Solomon AW, Maclaren D, Redman-Maclaren M, Mabey DCW. Point-of-care tests for syphilis and yaws in a low-income setting - A qualitative study of healthcare worker and patient experiences. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006360. [PMID: 29672524 PMCID: PMC5908063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The human treponematoses comprise venereal syphilis and the three non-venereal or endemic treponematoses yaws, bejel, and pinta. Serological assays remain the most common diagnostic method for all treponemal infections. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) for syphilis and yaws allow testing without further development of infrastructure in populations where routine laboratory facilities are not available. Alongside the test’s performance characteristics assessed through diagnostic evaluation, it is important to consider broader issues when rolling out a POCT. Experience with malaria POCT roll-out in sub-Saharan Africa has demonstrated that both healthcare worker and patient beliefs may play a major role in shaping the real-world use of POCTs. We conducted a qualitative study evaluating healthcare worker and patient perceptions of using a syphilis/yaws POCT in clinics in the East Malaita region of Malaita province in the Solomon Islands. Prior to the study serology was only routinely available at the local district hospital. Methods The POCT was deployed in the outpatient and ante-natal departments of a district hospital and four rural health clinics served by the hospital. Each site was provided with training and an SOP on the performance, interpretation and recording of results. Treatment for those testing positive was provided, in line with Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ guidelines for syphilis and yaws respectively. Alongside the implementation of the POCT we facilitated semi-structured interviews with both nurses and patients to explore individuals’ experiences and beliefs in relation to use of the POCT. Results and discussion Four main themes emerged in the interviews: 1) training and ease of performing the test; 2) time taken and ability to fit the test into a clinical workflow; 3) perceived reliability and trustworthiness of the test; and 4) level of the health care system the test was most usefully deployed. Many healthcare workers related their experience with the POCT to their experience using similar tests for malaria. Although the test was considered to take a relatively long time to perform the benefits of improved access to testing were considered positive by most healthcare workers. Qualitative data is needed to help inform better training packages to support the implementation of POCT in low-resource settings. Syphilis and yaws are closely related bacterial infections. In many countries where the diseases are found there is limited access to diagnostic testing. Recently a point of care test for both diseases has been developed. In the current study we evaluated the experience of healthcare workers and patients in using the test in the Solomon Islands. Both healthcare workers and patients valued the improved access to testing that provided by the point of care test. Experience of healthcare workers in using similar tests for other diseases, such as malaria, had both positive and negative impacts on their beliefs about the syphilis and yaws test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Tommy Esau
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Rowena Asugeni
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Relmah Harrington
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Jason Diau
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Hilary Toloka
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - James Asugeni
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Atoifi, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Eimhin Ansbro
- Department of Noncommunicable Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony W. Solomon
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Maclaren
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - David C. W. Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Zorzi A, Cordioli M, Gios L, Del Bravo P, Toskin I, Peeling RW, Blondeel K, Cornaglia G, Kiarie J, Ballard R, Mirandola M. Field evaluation of two point-of-care tests for syphilis among men who have sex with men, Verona, Italy. Sex Transm Infect 2018; 93:S51-S58. [PMID: 29223963 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-053065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The incidence of HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe has recently increased. Rapid point-of-care tests (POCTs) for syphilis can improve access to screening. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of two syphilis POCTs compared with laboratory tests among MSM. METHODS The study was undertaken in Verona, Italy. Asymptomatic MSM, potentially exposed to syphilis, were enrolled prospectively. The POCTs evaluated were SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0 and Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen & Confirm Assay on both serum and fingerprick blood. The results of the POCTs were read by the naked eye by two independent readers and their concordance assessed. RESULTS A total of 289 MSM were enrolled in the study. Based on laboratory tests, 35 MSM (12.1%) were TPPA-positive alone and 16 (5.5%) were both Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test (TPPA) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR)-positive. The specificities of both POCTs were above 99% on both serum and fingerstick blood specimens, while sensitivities varied considerably. The sensitivity of the SD Bioline test was lower on fingerprick blood (51.4% and 54.3%, readers 1 and 2, respectively) compared with that on serum (80.0% and 82.9%). In contrast, the Chembio test exhibited similar sensitivity values for serum and fingerprick samples (57.7% and 64.0% on serum vs 65.4% and 69.2% on fingerprick for the treponemal component; 63.6% on both samples by both readers for the non-treponemal component). The positive predictive value ranged between 100% and 93.9% for the treponemal component of both syphilis POCTs, but was lower (76.3%-100%)%) for the non-treponemal component of the Chembio POCT. The negative predictive value surpassed 90% for both tests on both samples. The agreement between readers was very high (>99%). CONCLUSION The diagnostic performance of the syphilis POCTs was lower than expected; however, considering the prevalence of syphilis among MSM, POCTs should be recommended to improve syphilis detection among MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Zorzi
- Virology and Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Maddalena Cordioli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Gios
- Regional Coordination Centre for European Project Management, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Del Bravo
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit, Department of General Medicine, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rosanna W Peeling
- International Diagnostics Centre, Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Cornaglia
- Virology and Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - James Kiarie
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ronald Ballard
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Mirandola
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Regional Coordination Centre for European Project Management, Verona University Hospital, Verona, Italy
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Toskin I, Murtagh M, Peeling RW, Blondeel K, Cordero J, Kiarie J. Advancing prevention of sexually transmitted infections through point-of-care testing: target product profiles and landscape analysis. Sex Transm Infect 2018; 93:S69-S80. [PMID: 29223965 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-053071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Advancing the field of point-of-care testing (POCT) for STIs can rapidly and substantially improve STI control and prevention by providing targeted, essential STI services (case detection and screening). POCT enables definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment in a single visit and home and community-based testing. METHODS Since 2014, the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research, in collaboration with technical partners, has completed four landscape analyses of promising diagnostics for use at or near the point of patient care to detect syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and the human papillomavirus. The analyses comprised a literature review and interviews. Two International Technical Consultations on STI POCTs (2014 and 2015) resulted in the development of target product profiles (TPP). Experts in STI microbiology, laboratory diagnostics, clinical management, public health and epidemiology participated in the consultations with representation from all WHO regions. RESULTS The landscape analysis identified diagnostic tests that are either available on the market, to be released in the near future or in the pipeline. The TPPs specify 28 analytical and operational characteristics of POCTs for use in different populations for surveillance, screening and case management. None of the tests that were identified in the landscape analysis met all of the targets of the TPPs. CONCLUSION More efforts of the global health community are needed to accelerate access to affordable quality-assured STI POCTs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, by supporting the development of new diagnostic platforms as well as strengthening the validation and implementation of existing diagnostics according to internationally endorsed standards and the best available evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Toskin
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurine Murtagh
- The Murtagh Group, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Woodside, USA
| | | | - Karel Blondeel
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joanna Cordero
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Kiarie
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
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Abstract
Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (T. pallidum) causes syphilis via sexual exposure or via vertical transmission during pregnancy. T. pallidum is renowned for its invasiveness and immune-evasiveness; its clinical manifestations result from local inflammatory responses to replicating spirochaetes and often imitate those of other diseases. The spirochaete has a long latent period during which individuals have no signs or symptoms but can remain infectious. Despite the availability of simple diagnostic tests and the effectiveness of treatment with a single dose of long-acting penicillin, syphilis is re-emerging as a global public health problem, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in high-income and middle-income countries. Syphilis also causes several hundred thousand stillbirths and neonatal deaths every year in developing nations. Although several low-income countries have achieved WHO targets for the elimination of congenital syphilis, an alarming increase in the prevalence of syphilis in HIV-infected MSM serves as a strong reminder of the tenacity of T. pallidum as a pathogen. Strong advocacy and community involvement are needed to ensure that syphilis is given a high priority on the global health agenda. More investment is needed in research on the interaction between HIV and syphilis in MSM as well as into improved diagnostics, a better test of cure, intensified public health measures and, ultimately, a vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna W Peeling
- London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - David Mabey
- London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Mary L Kamb
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- National Center for STD Control, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China
| | - Justin D Radolf
- Department of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Adele S Benzaken
- Department of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of STI, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Brazil
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30
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García-Bermejo I, de Ory F. Rapid diagnosis in serology. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2017; 35:246-254. [PMID: 28185665 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Serological diagnosis of acute phase infections implies the detection of IgM specific response, an effective marker of primary infection, but with less clinical significance in reactivations or reinfections. The aim of this article is to provide an updated view of the rapid diagnosis in serology by detecting the IgM isotype and reviewing its applications and limitations. Point-of-care (PoC) tests are analyzed. PoC tests are used in geographical areas where traditional tests are not available, as well as in other circumstances where their use brings the diagnosis directly to the target population. Likewise, their use reduces the response time between taking the sample and the diagnosis, making it easier to make clinical decisions. PoC assays have proven cost-effective, especially in preventing vertical transmission of syphilis and HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel García-Bermejo
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, España.
| | - Fernando de Ory
- Laboratorio de Serología y Arbovirus, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBER ESP), España
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31
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Kalou MB, Castro A, Watson A, Jost H, Clay S, Tun Y, Chen C, Karem K, Nkengasong JN, Ballard R, Parekh B. Laboratory evaluation of the Chembio Dual Path Platform HIV-Syphilis Assay. Afr J Lab Med 2016; 5:433. [PMID: 28879115 PMCID: PMC5436406 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v5i1.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Use of rapid diagnostic tests for HIV and syphilis has increased remarkably in the last decade. As new rapid diagnostic tests become available, there is a continuous need to assess their performance and operational characteristics prior to use in clinical settings. Objectives In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Chembio Dual Path Platform (DPP®) HIV–Syphilis Assay to accurately diagnose HIV, syphilis, and HIV/syphilis co-infection. Method In 2013, 990 serum samples from the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia, United States were characterised for HIV and syphilis and used to evaluate the platform. HIV reference testing combined third-generation Enzyme Immunoassay and Western Blot, whereas reference testing for syphilis was conducted by the Treponema pallidum passive particle agglutination method and the TrepSure assay. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the DPP assay on this panel by comparing results with the HIV and syphilis reference testing algorithms. Results For HIV, sensitivity was 99.8% and specificity was 98.4%; for syphilis, sensitivity was 98.8% and specificity was 99.4%. Of the 348 co-infected sera, 344 (98.9%) were detected accurately by the DPP assay, but 11 specimens had false-positive results (9 HIV and 2 syphilis) due to weak reactivity. Conclusion In this evaluation, the Chembio DPP HIV–Syphilis Assay had high sensitivity and specificity for detecting both HIV and treponemal antibodies. Our results indicate that this assay could have a significant impact on the simultaneous screening of HIV and syphilis using a single test device for high-risk populations or pregnant women needing timely care and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille B Kalou
- International Laboratory Branch, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Arnold Castro
- Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Amy Watson
- International Laboratory Branch, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Heather Jost
- Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Stacy Clay
- International Laboratory Branch, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Ye Tun
- Office of the Associate Director of Laboratory Science, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Cheng Chen
- Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Kevin Karem
- Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - John N Nkengasong
- International Laboratory Branch, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Ronald Ballard
- Office of the Associate Director of Laboratory Science, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Bharat Parekh
- International Laboratory Branch, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Stamm LV. Syphilis: Re-emergence of an old foe. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2016; 3:363-370. [PMID: 28357375 PMCID: PMC5354565 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.09.523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Syphilis is caused by infection with Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, a not-yet-cultivable spiral-shaped bacterium that is usually transmitted by sexual contact with an infected partner or by an infected pregnant woman to her fetus. There is no vaccine to prevent syphilis. Diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals and their contacts is key to syphilis control programs that also include sex education and promotion of condom use to prevent infection. Untreated syphilis can progress through four stages: primary (chancre, regional lymphadenopathy), secondary (disseminated skin eruptions, generalized lymphadenopathy), latent (decreased re-occurrence of secondary stage manifestations, absence of symptoms), and tertiary (gummas, cardiovascular syphilis and late neurological symptoms). The primary and secondary stages are the most infectious. WHO estimates that each year 11 million new cases of syphilis occur globally among adults aged 15-49 years. Syphilis has re-emerged in several regions including North America, Western Europe, China and Australia. Host-associated factors that drive the re-emergence and spread of syphilis include high-risk sexual activity, migration and travel, and economic and social changes that limit access to health care. Early, uncomplicated syphilis is curable with a single intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin G (BPG), the first line drug for all stages of syphilis. Emergence of macrolide-resistant T. pallidum has essentially precluded the empirical use of azithromycin as a second-line drug for treatment of syphilis. Virulence attributes of T. pallidum are poorly understood. Genomic and proteomic studies have provided some new information concerning how this spirochete may evade host defense mechanisms to persist for long periods in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola V. Stamm
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435
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Marks M, Yin YP, Chen XS, Castro A, Causer L, Guy R, Wangnapi R, Mitjà O, Aziz A, Castro R, da Luz Martins Pereira F, Taleo F, Guinard J, Bélec L, Tun Y, Bottomley C, Ballard RC, Mabey DCW. Metaanalysis of the Performance of a Combined Treponemal and Nontreponemal Rapid Diagnostic Test for Syphilis and Yaws. Clin Infect Dis 2016; 63:627-633. [PMID: 27217216 PMCID: PMC4981758 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A combined treponemal and nontreponemal rapid diagnostic test was found to have good sensitivity and specificity for both syphilis and yaws. The performance of both the treponemal and nontreponemal test components was strongly associated with the rapid plasma reagin titer. Background. The human treponematoses are important causes of disease. Mother-to-child transmission of syphilis remains a major cause of stillbirth and neonatal death. There are also almost 100 000 cases of endemic treponemal disease reported annually, predominantly yaws. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) would improve access to screening for these diseases. Most RDTs cannot distinguish current and previous infection. The Dual Path Platform (DPP) Syphilis Screen & Confirm test includes both a treponemal (T1) and nontreponemal (T2) component and may improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Methods. We conducted a metaanalysis of published and unpublished evaluations of the DPP-RDT for the diagnosis of syphilis and yaws. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and overall agreement of the test compared with reference laboratory tests. Results. Nine evaluations, including 7267 tests, were included. Sensitivity was higher in patients with higher titer rapid plasma reagin (≥1:16) for both the T1 (98.2% vs 90.1%, P < .0001) and the T2 component (98.2% vs 80.6%, P < .0001). Overall agreement between the DPP test and reference serology was 85.2% (84.4%–86.1%). Agreement was highest for high-titer active infection and lowest for past infection. Conclusions. The RDT has good sensitivity and specificity of the treponemal and nontreponemal components both in cases of suspected syphilis and yaws, although the sensitivity is decreased at lower antibody titers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Yue-Ping Yin
- National Center for STD Control, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing.,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology and Hospital of Skin Diseases, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- National Center for STD Control, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing.,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology and Hospital of Skin Diseases, Nanjing, China
| | - Arnold Castro
- Laboratory Reference & Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Louise Causer
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Regina Wangnapi
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highland Province
| | - Oriol Mitjà
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain.,Lihir Medical Centre, International SOS, Newcrest Mining, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Rita Castro
- Unidade de Microbiologica Médica, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Jérôme Guinard
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans
| | - Laurent Bélec
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris.,Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes (Paris V), Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Ye Tun
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Christian Bottomley
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Ronald C Ballard
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David C W Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
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Lago EG. Current Perspectives on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Syphilis. Cureus 2016; 8:e525. [PMID: 27081586 PMCID: PMC4829408 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This article aims to provide an update on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis by drawing upon some important basic concepts and reviewing the most recent literature on the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in pregnancy. New technologies, such as automated and point-of-care immunologic tests, are shifting some paradigms, which will certainly be further investigated in the forthcoming years. This is the time to carefully evaluate traditional as well as new strategies to prevent congenital syphilis. Adverse outcomes of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis can be prevented with antenatal screening and penicillin therapy, which proved to have an excellent cost-benefit ratio even in populations with a low prevalence of syphilis. However, syphilis epidemiology is influenced by socioeconomic and cultural factors, and major challenges are faced by poor and developing countries in which the severity of the problem is extremely alarming. On the other hand, the emergence of new technologies has raised doubts about the best algorithm to be used when proper laboratory resources are available. Conditions are quite heterogeneous across populations, and some procedures should not be generalized while there is no evidence that supports some changes and while in-depth studies about local conditions are not conducted. Official organizations need to be alert in order to avoid isolated decisions and ensure that evidence-based guidelines be used in the management of syphilis in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonor G Lago
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS ; Edipucrs University Publisher, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS
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Laksanasopin T, Guo TW, Nayak S, Sridhara AA, Xie S, Olowookere OO, Cadinu P, Meng F, Chee NH, Kim J, Chin CD, Munyazesa E, Mugwaneza P, Rai AJ, Mugisha V, Castro AR, Steinmiller D, Linder V, Justman JE, Nsanzimana S, Sia SK. A smartphone dongle for diagnosis of infectious diseases at the point of care. Sci Transl Med 2015; 7:273re1. [PMID: 25653222 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This work demonstrates that a full laboratory-quality immunoassay can be run on a smartphone accessory. This low-cost dongle replicates all mechanical, optical, and electronic functions of a laboratory-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) without requiring any stored energy; all necessary power is drawn from a smartphone. Rwandan health care workers used the dongle to test whole blood obtained via fingerprick from 96 patients enrolling into care at prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinics or voluntary counseling and testing centers. The dongle performed a triplexed immunoassay not currently available in a single test format: HIV antibody, treponemal-specific antibody for syphilis, and nontreponemal antibody for active syphilis infection. In a blinded experiment, health care workers obtained diagnostic results in 15 min from our triplex test that rivaled the gold standard of laboratory-based HIV ELISA and rapid plasma reagin (a screening test for syphilis), with sensitivity of 92 to 100% and specificity of 79 to 100%, consistent with needs of current clinical algorithms. Patient preference for the dongle was 97% compared to laboratory-based tests, with most pointing to the convenience of obtaining quick results with a single fingerprick. This work suggests that coupling microfluidics with recent advances in consumer electronics can make certain laboratory-based diagnostics accessible to almost any population with access to smartphones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tassaneewan Laksanasopin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Tiffany W Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Samiksha Nayak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Archana A Sridhara
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Shi Xie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Owolabi O Olowookere
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Paolo Cadinu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Fanxing Meng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Natalie H Chee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jiyoon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Curtis D Chin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Elisaphane Munyazesa
- ICAP-Rwanda, Mailman School of Public Health, Chadel Building 1st Floor, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Placidie Mugwaneza
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Alex J Rai
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, 3959 Broadway, CHONY 2C-224, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Veronicah Mugisha
- ICAP-Rwanda, Mailman School of Public Health, Chadel Building 1st Floor, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Arnold R Castro
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - David Steinmiller
- OPKO Diagnostics, LLC, 4 Constitution Way, Suite E, Woburn, MA 01801, USA
| | - Vincent Linder
- OPKO Diagnostics, LLC, 4 Constitution Way, Suite E, Woburn, MA 01801, USA
| | - Jessica E Justman
- ICAP, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street #14, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sabin Nsanzimana
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Samuel K Sia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Malm K, Andersson S, Fredlund H, Norrgren H, Biague A, Månsson F, Ballard R, Unemo M. Analytical evaluation of nine serological assays for diagnosis of syphilis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2015; 29:2369-76. [PMID: 26370737 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of syphilis is most frequently dependent on antibody detection with serological assays. Assays for both treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies are needed to provide a sensitive and specific diagnosis. For decades, a first screening has been done with non-treponemal assays, followed by treponemal. However, in recent years, following laboratory automation, the reverse sequence screening algorithms have been developed, using a treponemal assay as the initial screening test. OBJECTIVE To evaluate serological assays for treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies, to use in reverse algorithm screening of syphilis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Six treponemal assays (one IgM-specific assay), two non-treponemal assays and one novel dual point-of-care (POC) assay for serological diagnosis of syphilis were evaluated. Serum samples from Guinea-Bissau and Sweden were examined, as well as two performance panels and samples from blood donors. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each assay, using different assays as gold standard test. RESULTS The Macro-Vue RPR Card test was the most sensitive non-treponemal test and the TrepSure Anti-Treponema EIA Screen and the SeroDia TP-PA were the most sensitive and specific treponemal assays. Among the automated assays, both the Liaison Treponema Screen and Architect Syphilis TP showed high sensitivity, however, the former had clearly higher specificity. CONCLUSIONS In resourced settings, where the reverse sequence algorithm is preferred for screening, an automated treponemal immunoassay for initial screening subsequently followed by the TrepSure test or TP-PA assay as a second treponemal assay appear highly effective. Finally, a quantitative highly sensitive non-treponemal assay, e.g. the Macro-Vue RPR Card test, could then be used as a supplementary test to evaluate activity of the syphilis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Malm
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - S Andersson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - H Fredlund
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - H Norrgren
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - A Biague
- National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - F Månsson
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - R Ballard
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Protection, Atlanta GA, USA
| | - M Unemo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Current Trends in Point-of-Care Testing for Syphilis and Tuberculosis in Developing Countries. POINT OF CARE 2015. [DOI: 10.1097/poc.0000000000000051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The past 15 years have seen a dramatic increase in syphilis diagnoses in several regions including China, North America, Western Europe and Australia. Worldwide, the disease remains prevalent, contributing to substantial adult morbidity and neonatal mortality. Testing and treatment strategies are largely informed by data from the early antibiotic era, but increasing use of molecular diagnostics and new screening strategies could improve the management of syphilis substantially. RECENT FINDINGS The review explores new testing strategies for syphilis, including the importance of screening test selection and advances in point-of-care diagnostics. It then examines molecular studies of Treponema pallidum, covering typing; macrolide resistance; association between genotype and phenotype and the use of PCR in testing and monitoring strategies. SUMMARY Clinicians should be aware of testing strategies employed by their laboratories to ensure optimal sensitivity and specificity. Locally available T. pallidum PCR assays may improve the diagnosis of early disease and inform antibiotic choice. Robust serologic follow-up is still required, but predictors of potential treatment failure, including PCR-measured bacterial load, have been identified. Re-treatment should be considered for patients in the serofast state. The publication of T. pallidum genomes would allow further and more detailed study of strains and disease pathogenesis.
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Better method for evaluating a new laboratory test for syphilis. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2015; 22:606. [PMID: 25921468 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00014-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Wedderburn CJ, Murtagh M, Toskin I, Peeling RW. Using electronic readers to monitor progress toward elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis: An opinion piece. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2015; 130 Suppl 1:S81-3. [PMID: 25983212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Electronic readers and smartphones have the potential to standardize the interpretation of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and provide timely surveillance program data. RDTs are widely used for HIV and are being increasingly used for syphilis screening in pregnant women. Following the WHO initiative for the validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, there is a need for more extensive testing and data monitoring. However, access to timely and accurate data can be challenging once testing is decentralized as data quality at remote sites is often difficult to verify. Electronic RDT readers can help to ensure quality and allow automated data transmission, creating an opportunity for real-time surveillance to inform control strategies and assess intervention impact. Furthermore, by linking the data to existing supply chain management software, stockouts can be minimized. The present opinion piece looks at the opportunities and challenges of using these tools within national elimination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wedderburn
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | | - Igor Toskin
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Terris-Prestholt F, Vickerman P, Torres-Rueda S, Santesso N, Sweeney S, Mallma P, Shelley KD, Garcia PJ, Bronzan R, Gill MM, Broutet N, Wi T, Watts C, Mabey D, Peeling RW, Newman L. The cost-effectiveness of 10 antenatal syphilis screening and treatment approaches in Peru, Tanzania, and Zambia. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2015; 130 Suppl 1:S73-80. [PMID: 25963907 PMCID: PMC4510253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) is frequently used to test women for maternal syphilis. Rapid syphilis immunochromatographic strip tests detecting only Treponema pallidum antibodies (single RSTs) or both treponemal and non-treponemal antibodies (dual RSTs) are now available. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of algorithms using these tests to screen pregnant women. Methods Observed costs of maternal syphilis screening and treatment using clinic-based RPR and single RSTs in 20 clinics across Peru, Tanzania, and Zambia were used to model the cost-effectiveness of algorithms using combinations of RPR, single, and dual RSTs, and no and mass treatment. Sensitivity analyses determined drivers of key results. Results Although this analysis found screening using RPR to be relatively cheap, most (> 70%) true cases went untreated. Algorithms using single RSTs were the most cost-effective in all observed settings, followed by dual RSTs, which became the most cost-effective if dual RST costs were halved. Single test algorithms dominated most sequential testing algorithms, although sequential algorithms reduced overtreatment. Mass treatment was relatively cheap and effective in the absence of screening supplies, though treated many uninfected women. Conclusion This analysis highlights the advantages of introducing RSTs in three diverse settings. The results should be applicable to other similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Vickerman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Sedona Sweeney
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Rachel Bronzan
- Health and Development International, Newburyport, MA, USA
| | - Michelle M Gill
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Teodora Wi
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - David Mabey
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Lori Newman
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Causer LM, Kaldor JM, Conway DP, Leslie DE, Denham I, Karapanagiotidis T, Ryan C, Wand H, Anderson DA, Robertson PW, McNulty AM, Donovan B, Fairley CK, Guy RJ. An evaluation of a novel dual treponemal/nontreponemal point-of-care test for syphilis as a tool to distinguish active from past treated infection. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 61:184-91. [PMID: 25810288 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most syphilis point-of-care (POC) tests detect treponemal antibodies, which persist after successful treatment. Subsequent POC tests are positive, despite no active infection, and can lead to unnecessary treatment. We evaluated a new POC test, incorporating a nontreponemal component, to distinguish active from past infection. METHODS Sera stored at 2 Australian laboratories were tested with DPP Screen and Confirm Assay. Treponemal and nontreponemal test lines were compared to corresponding conventional treponemal and nontreponemal reference test results: immunoassays and rapid plasma reagin (RPR), respectively, with RPR quantification by endpoint titration. POC test outcome concordance with conventional test results was assessed according to serological and clinical categories. RESULTS Among 1005 serum samples tested, DPP treponemal line sensitivity was 89.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.3%-91.9%) and specificity was 99.3% (95% CI, 97.0%-99.9%). DPP nontreponemal line sensitivity was 94.2% (95% CI, 91.8%-96.0%) and specificity was 62.2% (95% CI, 57.5%-66.6%). DPP test outcome (pair of test lines) was concordant with both reference test results for 94.3% of 404 high-titer infections, 90.1% of 121 low-titer infections, 27.5% of 211 past/treated infections, and 78.1% of 242 infections classified as not syphilis. Among 211 past/treated infections, 49.8% were incorrectly identified as active infection and a further 22.8% as not syphilis. CONCLUSIONS DPP test use would result in identification of >93% of active syphilis infections, whereas just over half of past infections would be diagnosed as past or not syphilis, avoiding unnecessary treatment compared with other POC tests. This may be at the expense of missing some active infections; thus, its potential benefits will depend on the prevalence of past vs active infection in a population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John M Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
| | | | - David E Leslie
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne
| | | | | | | | - Handan Wand
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
| | | | | | | | - Basil Donovan
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
| | | | - Rebecca J Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
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Niu JJ, Zhang Q, Chen FY, Liu L, Liu LL, Yang TC. The evaluation method for assessing a diagnostic test of HIV: some noteworthy issues. J Clin Virol 2015; 65:74-5. [PMID: 25766993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Jun Niu
- Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China
| | - Qiao Zhang
- Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China
| | - Fu-Yi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Long Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, College of Science, National University of Defense and Technology, Changsha 411105, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Xiamen Zhongshan Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen 361004, China
| | - Tian-Ci Yang
- Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen 518057, China; Xiamen Zhongshan Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen 361004, China.
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Morshed MG, Singh AE. Recent trends in the serologic diagnosis of syphilis. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2015; 22:137-47. [PMID: 25428245 PMCID: PMC4308867 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00681-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Complexities in the diagnosis of syphilis continue to challenge clinicians. While direct tests (e.g., microscopy or PCR) are helpful in early syphilis, the mainstay of diagnosis remains serologic tests. The traditional algorithm using a nontreponemal test (NTT) followed by a treponemal test (TT) remains the standard in many parts of the world. More recently, the ability to automate the TT has led to the increasingly widespread use of reverse algorithms using treponemal enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Rapid, point-of-care TTs are in widespread use in developing countries because of low cost, ease of use, and reasonable performance. However, none of the current diagnostic algorithms are able to distinguish current from previously treated infections. In addition, the reversal of traditional syphilis algorithms has led to uncertainty in the clinical management of patients. The interpretation of syphilis tests is further complicated by the lack of a reliable gold standard for syphilis diagnostics, and the newer tests can result in false-positive reactions similar to those seen with older tests. Little progress has been made in the area of serologic diagnostics for congenital syphilis, which requires assessment of maternal treatment and serologic response as well as clinical and laboratory investigation of the neonate for appropriate management. The diagnosis of neurosyphilis continues to require the collection of cerebrospinal fluid for a combination of NTT and TT, and, while newer treponemal EIAs look promising, more studies are needed to confirm their utility. This article reviews current tests and discusses current controversies in syphilis diagnosis, with a focus on serologic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad G Morshed
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, and BC Public Health Microbiology and Reference Laboratory, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ameeta E Singh
- Department of Medicine/Infectious Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Bristow CC, Larson E, Javanbakht M, Huang E, Causer L, Klausner JD. A review of recent advances in rapid point-of-care tests for syphilis. Sex Health 2015; 12:119-25. [PMID: 25622292 DOI: 10.1071/sh14166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Syphilis is a curable disease, yet over 10million people worldwide are infected with syphilis each year. Syphilis case finding and subsequent treatment are key steps in syphilis control and prevention efforts. The advent of rapid point-of-care tests - which require minimal equipment, are easy to perform and are relatively low cost - have the potential to improve syphilis control by allowing for more widespread testing in clinical and non-clinical settings. However, strategies to maximise the potential public health impact of those tests are needed, and those include regulatory oversight, effective supply-chain management and quality assurance systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C Bristow
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 640 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Elysia Larson
- Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Cambridge, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marjan Javanbakht
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 640 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Emily Huang
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Louise Causer
- The Kirby Institute, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Australia,Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 640 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Yaws, caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue, is endemic in parts of West Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The WHO has launched a campaign based on mass treatment with azithromycin, to eradicate yaws by 2020. SOURCES OF DATA We reviewed published data, surveillance data and data presented at yaws eradication meetings. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Azithromycin is now the preferred agent for treating yaws. Point-of-care tests have demonstrated their value in yaws. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY There is limited data from 76 countries, which previously reported yaws. Different doses of azithromycin are used in community mass treatment for yaws and trachoma. GROWING POINTS Yaws eradication appears an achievable goal. The programme will require considerable support from partners across health and development sectors. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Studies to complete baseline mapping, integrate diagnostic tests into surveillance and assess the impact of community mass treatment with azithromycin are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London WC1E 6JB, UK
| | - Oriol Mitjà
- Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Roselló 132, Barcelona, Spain Lihir Medical Centre-International SOS, Newcrest Mining, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea
| | - Anthony W Solomon
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London WC1E 6JB, UK Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - Kingsley B Asiedu
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
| | - David C Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London WC1E 6JB, UK
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48
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Hess KL, Fisher DG, Reynolds GL. Sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care rapid combination syphilis-HIV-HCV tests. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112190. [PMID: 25375138 PMCID: PMC4223032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New rapid point-of-care (POC) tests are being developed that would offer the opportunity to increase screening and treatment of several infections, including syphilis. This study evaluated three of these new rapid POC tests at a site in Southern California. Methods Participants were recruited from a testing center in Long Beach, California. A whole blood specimen was used to evaluate the performance of the Dual Path Platform (DPP) Syphilis Screen & Confirm, DPP HIV-Syphilis, and DPP HIV-HCV-Syphilis rapid tests. The gold-standard comparisons were Treponema pallidum passive particle agglutination (TPPA), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), HCV enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and HIV-1/2 EIA. Results A total of 948 whole blood specimens were analyzed in this study. The sensitivity of the HIV tests ranged from 95.7–100% and the specificity was 99.7–100%. The sensitivity and specificity of the HCV test were 91.8% and 99.3%, respectively. The treponemal-test sensitivity when compared to TPPA ranged from 44.0–52.7% and specificity was 98.7–99.6%. The non-treponemal test sensitivity and specificity when compared to RPR was 47.8% and 98.9%, respectively. The sensitivity of the Screen & Confirm test improved to 90.0% when cases who were both treponemal and nontreponemal positive were compared to TPPA+/RPR ≥1∶8. Conclusions The HIV and HCV on the multi-infection tests showed good performance, but the treponemal and nontreponemal tests had low sensitivity. These results could be due to a low prevalence of active syphilis in the sample population because the sensitivity improved when the gold standard was limited to those more likely to be active cases. Further evaluation of the new syphilis POC tests is required before implementation into testing programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L. Hess
- Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DGF); (KLH)
| | - Dennis G. Fisher
- Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DGF); (KLH)
| | - Grace L. Reynolds
- Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America
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49
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Janier M, Hegyi V, Dupin N, Unemo M, Tiplica G, Potočnik M, French P, Patel R. 2014 European guideline on the management of syphilis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014; 28:1581-93. [PMID: 25348878 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Janier
- STD Clinic; Hôpital Saint-Louis AP-HP and Hôpital Saint-Joseph; Paris France
| | - V. Hegyi
- Department of Pediatric Dermatovenereology; Comenius University; Bratislava Slovak Republic
| | - N. Dupin
- Syphilis National Reference Center; Hôpital Tarnier-Cochin; AP-HP; Paris France
| | - M. Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other Sexually Transmitted Infections; Department of Laboratory Medicine; Microbiology; Örebro University Hospital; Örebro Sweden
| | - G.S. Tiplica
- 2nd Dermatological Clinic; Carol Davila University; Colentina Clinical Hospital; Bucharest Romania
| | - M. Potočnik
- Department of Dermatovenereology; University Medical Centre; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - P. French
- Central and North West London NHS Trust and University College; London UK
| | - R. Patel
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine; the Royal South Hants Hospital; Southampton UK
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Marks M, Goncalves A, Vahi V, Sokana O, Puiahi E, Zhang Z, Dalipanda T, Bottomley C, Mabey D, Solomon AW. Evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test for yaws infection in a community surveillance setting. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3156. [PMID: 25211018 PMCID: PMC4161315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue. The WHO has launched a worldwide control programme, which aims to eradicate yaws by 2020. The development of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for serological diagnosis in the isolated communities affected by yaws is a key requirement for the successful implementation of the WHO strategy. We conducted a study to evaluate the utility of the DPP test in screening for yaws, utilizing samples collected as part of a community prevalence survey conducted in the Solomon Islands. 415 serum samples were tested using both traditional syphilis serology (TPPA and quantitative RPR) and the Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen and Confirm RDT. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the RDT as compared to gold standard serology. The sensitivity of the RDT against TPPA was 58.5% and the specificity was 97.6%. The sensitivity of the RDT against RPR was 41.7% and the specificity was 95.2%. The sensitivity of the DPP was strongly related to the RPR titre with a sensitivity of 92.0% for an RPR titre of >1/16. Wider access to DPP testing would improve our understanding of worldwide yaws case reporting and the test may play a key role in assessing patients presenting with yaws like lesions in a post-mass drug administration (MDA) setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Goncalves
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ventis Vahi
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Oliver Sokana
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Elliot Puiahi
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Zaixing Zhang
- World Health Organization, Western Pacific Region Office, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Tenneth Dalipanda
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Christian Bottomley
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony W. Solomon
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London, United Kingdom
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