[Western blot as a confirming test in the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis]

Two hundred and ninety-five patients who had been found to have Treponema pallidum antibodies detected by enzyme immunoassay were additionally studied by a Western blot test to confirm their presence. Every four cases were ascertained to be false-positive, false seropositivity being more frequent in the presence of IgM antibody against T. palladium. Spinal fluid analysis provided evidence for the course of neurosyphilis in 5 cases. The diagnosis of congenital syphilis was verified in 2 children who had p15, p17, p45, and 47. The findings demonstrate it necessary to extensively use a Western blot in the health care system.