Serological tests for syphilis in Saudi Arabia

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Syphilis remains a significant global health concern.
• Accurate serological diagnostics are crucial for syphilis detection and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of syphilis in a general population using multiple serological tests.
• To identify biological false positive reactions and assess demographic patterns of infection.
• To investigate congenital syphilis in mother-infant pairs.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 6684 sera using Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) tests.
• Confirmation of reactive sera using the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (FTA-ABS) test.
• Analysis of serological data for overall positivity, false positive rates, and demographic associations.

Main Results:

• An overall syphilis positivity of 2.7% was detected.
• VDRL biological false positive reactors were observed in 0.5% of sera, with specific rates in pregnant women (0.4%) and blood donors (0.8%).
• Syphilis infection was more prevalent in men (1.6:1 ratio) and individuals aged 20-39 years. One case of congenital syphilis was identified.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the continued presence of syphilis and the importance of confirmatory testing.
• Understanding false positive rates and demographic trends aids in targeted screening and intervention strategies.
• Early detection of congenital syphilis through serological screening is vital for preventing long-term complications.