Biological false positives to serological tests for syphilis in herpes genitalis

A survey was made of 17 patients (4 females and 13 males) with herpes genitalis who, during period 1971-84, developed biological false positive serological tests for syphilis. Of 121 patients with herpes genitalis diagnosed by herpes culture in 1982-84, 4.1% developed biologically false positive reaction. Duration of symptoms before biologically false positive reaction was 12 days. Duration of false positive reaction was on average 32 days. Eight had borderline reactions, 7 uneven positive titers and 2 serological patterns simulating secondary syphilis.