Open AccessChallenges of Rapid Plasma Reagin Interpretation in Syphilis Screening in Uganda: Variability in Nontreponemal Results Between Different Laboratories
Author(s) -
Matthew M Hamill,
Kimeze J. Mbazira,
Agnes Kiragga,
Charlotte A. Gaydos,
Mary Jett-Goheen,
Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi,
Yukari C. Manabe,
Moses Joloba,
Anne Rompalo
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sexually transmitted diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.507
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1537-4521
pISSN - 0148-5717
DOI - 10.1097/olq.0000000000000883
Subject(s) - rapid plasma reagin , medicine , syphilis , titer , serology , immunology , obstetrics , treponema , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , antibody
Syphilis is a cause of morbidity and mortality and is of particular concern in pregnancy in low-income countries because of the risks associated with maternal-fetal transmission. Ugandan national guidelines recommend a nontreponemal rapid plasma reagin (RPR) followed by treponemal testing for diagnosis of syphilis. The RPR test confirms a reactive specific treponemal test, or confirms serological "cure" with a 4-fold dilutional decrease; RPR is beset with technical and biological limitations, making accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment problematic. The aim of this analysis was to compare performance of RPR testing in different laboratories.