Syphilis Serologies: A Practical Approach for the Primary Care Clinician

Elizabeth A Gilliams; Zachary Lorenz; Matthew M Hamill

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2023.08.002

Syphilis Serologies: A Practical Approach for the Primary Care Clinician

Med Clin North Am. 2024 Mar;108(2):325-337. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.08.002. Epub 2023 Sep 7.

Authors

Elizabeth A Gilliams¹, Zachary Lorenz², Matthew M Hamill³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. Electronic address: Egillia8@jhmi.edu.
² Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
³ Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.

PMID: 38331483
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.08.002

Abstract

Syphilis serology interpretation can be challenging even for experienced providers. This article reviews the staging of syphilis and the principles of syphilis serology testing, the algorithms used in diagnosis, and guidance for their use in monitoring the response to treatment. The authors illustrate these principles through a series of clinical scenarios and describe the rationale behind the management approaches.

Keywords: Serology; Sexually transmitted infection; Syphilis; Treponemal testing.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Algorithms
Humans
Primary Health Care
Syphilis Serodiagnosis
Syphilis* / diagnosis
Syphilis* / drug therapy