Document 0719
 DOCN  M9550719
 TI    A preliminary evaluation of a prototype western blot confirmatory test
       kit for syphilis.
 DT    9505
 AU    Young H; Walker PJ; Merry D; Mifsud A; Department of Medical
       Microbiology, Edinburgh University Medical; School, Scotland.
 SO    Int J STD AIDS. 1994 Nov-Dec;5(6):409-14. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95151863
 AB    A prototype Western blot kit was evaluated as a confirmatory test for
       syphilis using 131 sera characterized by other serological tests for
       syphilis. There were 114 treponemal sera (including 94 cases of early
       syphilis, 83 of which were untreated) and 17 non-treponemal problem sera
       (11 gave false positive reactions on screening with the TmpA recombinant
       antigen enzyme immunoassay (EIA), 3 gave false positive fluorescent
       treponemal antibody absorbed (FTA-abs) tests, and 3 false positive
       Captia Syphilis G EIA results). Based on the manufacturer's criteria of
       reactivity in multiple bands for designating a positive result the
       Western blot test gave a sensitivity of 99.1% (113/114) and a
       specificity of 88.2% (15/17) when indeterminate reactions were scored
       positive and 98.2% (112/114) and 100% (17/17) when indeterminate
       reactions were scored negative. Sensitivity was high in both treated and
       untreated infection. Corresponding sensitivities for the TPHA and
       FTA-abs when equivocal reactions were scored negative were 97.5%
       (111/114) and 99.1% (113/114). The high sensitivity of the FTA-abs in
       this study is probably due to the large number of untreated primary
       infections. Our results with the Western blot, confirm earlier studies
       using 'in-house' test systems and, support a role for a commercial
       Western blot test in the confirmatory diagnosis of syphilis. Further
       studies are required to confirm the high specificity and sensitivity of
       the kit in a larger series including a wider variety of non-treponemal
       cases as well as patients with untreated and treated infection.
 DE    Blotting, Western/*INSTRUMENTATION  Evaluation Studies  False Positive
       Reactions  Human  Reagent Kits, Diagnostic  Sensitivity and Specificity
       Syphilis/*DIAGNOSIS  Syphilis Serodiagnosis  CLINICAL TRIAL  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

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