[Present aspects of syphilis: 2. Serology, therapy]

The actual aspect of syphilis in the Federal Republic of Germany is determined by epidemiology, treponemal specific serodiagnosis and modern therapy. Compared with the frequency after the last war, syphilis diminished to a level of 5-10 per cent at present. In particular, connatal, tertiary and neuro-syphilis have decreased absolutely and relatively. In serodiagnostics of lues venerea the first tests to be used are the indirect hemagglutination-test TPHA and the quantitative lipoidal test VDRL. In case of reactive results in one of these methods, the FTA-ABS-test and furthermore the TPI-test are applied for verification. The treponemal specific IgM-diagnosis (IgM-FTA-ABS, IgM-19 S-FTA) permits a statement on the acuteness of the syphilitic process and control of the course after treatment. In current chemotherapy of syphilis penicillin ranges in the first place followed by tetracyclines and erythromycin.