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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Procedures for In Vitro Cultivation of Treponema pallidum, the Syphilis Spirochete
Published on: January 24, 2025
Positive serological tests for syphilis and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin
S A Constable1, C M Parry, T P Enevoldson
1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street Medical School, Ashton Street, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK. s.constable@liverpool.ac.uk
Abstract:
We report the case of a man who tested positive for syphilis following the intravenous administration of human normal immunoglobulin as part of the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The chronology of the testing suggested the passive acquisition of treponemal antibody. This phenomenon is not widely documented in the medical literature, but is a theoretical risk of treatment, and serves as a reminder to be cautious in the interpretation of such serological tests.
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