Skip to main content

Table 2 Characteristics of patients that were PCR positive but seronegative for syphilis at baseline

From: A longitudinal evaluation of Treponema pallidumPCR testing in early syphilis

Case number

Clinical status

Baseline test results

Treatment

Intermittent negative EIA results

Follow-up positive serology tests

Syphilis seroconversion classification

Site of ulcer

Prior syphilis

HIV status (CD4 cells/ul)

Syphilis PCR

HSV PCR

EIA/RPR/TPHA/FTA

Days since baseline

Days since baseline

Days since baseline

EIA/RPR/TPHA/FTA

1

Anus

No

N

P

N

N

14

-

7

P/N//P/P

Delayed

2

Penis and perianal

Yes

N

P

N

P/N/P/P

5

-

21

P/1:4/P/P

Delayed

3

Penis

No

N

P

N

N

11

7, 14

35

P/N/P/P

Delayed

4

Penis

No

P (774)

P

ND

N

6

14,42,72

170

P/N/P/P

Delayed or re-infection

5

Anus

No

P (646)

P

N

N

7

426

-

-

Persistent negative at 14 months

  1. N=negative, P=positive, ND=not done, PCR=polymerase chain reaction, RPR= rapid plasma reagin, TPHA= treponema pallidum haemagglutination, FTA= fluorescent treponemal antibody, EIA=enzyme immunoassay, d=days, m=months.