Serology of treponematoses; recent developments

In this general review of the serology of the treponematoses and of syphilis in particular, the authors first consider recent technical improvements in the materials used by serological laboratories and in the tests they perform. Special stress is laid on the new tests using treponemal antigens; but it is pointed out that the more commonly used tests should not be discarded in routine testing, the particular value of the newer tests residing in their use on doubtful sera.Mass blood testing-whether as a result of legal requirement and regulation or in the routine testing of patients and industrial workers-is extremely valuable where there is much syphilis among the population tested but becomes very costly when the number of positive reactors found is small.In a section on the clinical implications of serological findings, the authors deal with the problems presented by seropositive pregnant women and newborn children, with quantitative serological tests for syphilis, with the serological response in penicillin-treated syphilis, and with the serology of asymptomatic reinfection and serorelapse.