Serological Screening For Syphilis in Antenatal Cases

Out of 23808, sera screened for syphilis by VDRL tests from antenatal cases, 1155 were reactive, giving an incidence of 4.85%. This has been compared with the incidence of reactive ,sera for syphilis in antenatal cases by various other workers. We have compared 300 sera with various reactivity by VDRL test with KVT and found only 2 false positive and 57 inconclusive, thereby indicating need to have specific tests. There was-good correlation between VDRL and KVT, but VDRL was more sensitive, whereas KVT was more specific. Various serological tests for screening syphilis have been discussed in brief and ultimately concluded that VDRL is the best screening test.