Currently, tests for HIV and syphilis are prescribed not only if there is suspicion of the development of these diseases. Examination must be done to each person regularly. This is necessary in order to timely identify the ailment and protect the surrounding people. There are many modern methods with which you can detect syphilis. Moreover, not only blood can act as biological material. The following describes what tests for syphilis can be passed, how to prepare for them, where to pass them and how to decipher in an independent way.
Indications
The disease is very serious. Pathology not only poses a threat to health, but also has an extremely high degree of infectivity. For a very long time, syphilis did not respond to treatment. At present, medicine has taken a big step forward, now you can completely get rid of the disease.
The outcome of the pathology directly depends on the timeliness of its detection and treatment to the doctor. It is important to remember that infection can occur not only sexually, but also through contact-household means. That is why every person needs to regularly take biomaterial for analysis for syphilis. The decoding of the study should be done by the doctor. A person can independently interpret the results, but it often happens that his conclusions become erroneous.
Indications for the study:
- Pregnancy planning.
- Registration of residence permit in a hostel.
- Obtaining admission to carry out professional activities.
- Suspected syphilis.
- Erratic sexual contacts.
- Blood donation, its components, as well as organ transplantation.
- Monitoring the treatment.
You should also consult a doctor if you have the following warning signs:
- Sores with smooth edges and a dense base. As a rule, they are localized on the genitals.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the immediate vicinity of the sores.
- Weakness.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Loss of appetite.
- Frequent episodes of headache.
- Elevated to subfebrile values, body temperature.
- Pain in joints and muscle tissue.
- Pale rashes on the skin, wearing a symmetrical nature.
These symptoms may indicate the presence of the disease. When contacting a specialist, the latter will conduct an examination and prescribe tests for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis (standard studies). Upon receiving positive results, the doctor will make the most effective treatment regimen.
Types of Syphilis Research
In order to identify the disease, specialists use various techniques. All methods are divided into 2 large groups.
- Direct. They imply the detection of a pathogen (directly pale treponema that causes syphilis). These include the following methods: RIT analysis, dark-field microscopy, PCR.
- Indirect. These are serological studies with which antibodies to a pathogenic microorganism can be detected. Indirect methods are divided into treponemal (ELISA, RIF, immunoblotting, RIT analysis, RSK and RPGA tests) and nontreponemal (RMP, RSK, RPR, analysis with toluidine red).
Each type of study has a different degree of informational content. Most often, doctors prescribe serological tests. According to indications, more reliable tests are carried out.
In 8 out of 10 patients, treponema is detected by examining the biomaterial under a microscope. The analysis is advisable at an early stage of the development of the disease, when the patient has ulcers and rashes. From the foci of pathology, a discharge is carried out, after which it is examined under a microscope.
A more informative direct method is RIF analysis. It involves treating a patient’s biomaterial with fluorescent antibodies that can adhere to pathogens. In the presence of treponema, the laboratory assistant is able to visualize luminous pathogens.
RIT analysis involves the administration of a patient’s biomaterial to a rabbit. The test is distinguished by its duration. The result is considered positive when the animal shows signs of syphilis. Despite the high degree of accuracy, the test is prescribed in very rare cases.
PCR analysis is the most effective study. In the process of its implementation, the genetic elements of treponema are revealed. The only drawback of the method is its high cost.
One of the most famous is a study called the Wassermann reaction. It involves the detection of antibodies in the body to the pathogen. A positive test result does not always indicate infection with syphilis. For example, there are many factors that can affect the outcome. In addition, a false-positive result is often detected in pregnant women. In such cases, the patient is examined additionally.
The results of the analysis of the CSC must wait 2 months. RMP research is much faster. Both methods are similar to the Wassermann reaction. It is worth noting that none of them has 100% certainty. A false positive result can also be a consequence of exposure to the body of various provoking factors.
RPR - analysis, which is also an analogue of the Wasserman reaction. Its implementation is shown if necessary, screening of asymptomatic individuals, confirmation of the disease and study of donor biomaterial.
The toluidine red test is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. With a successful recovery, indicators fall and, conversely, increase against the background of the progression of the disease.
It is impossible to judge the degree of effectiveness of treatment using treponemal analyzes. This is due to the fact that their results remain positive for some time after a full recovery. Treponemal studies are prescribed to identify the development of pathology, including proceeding hidden, recognition of erroneous data in screening tests, and retrospective diagnostics.
Will syphilis show a blood test (clinical)? No, specific tests are needed to identify the ailment. But at the same time, blood is also a biomaterial. In addition, the patient can take cerebrospinal fluid, ulcers, and lymph nodes.
What may affect the result.
Research is not always reliable. That is why only a doctor should decipher the analysis for syphilis. The result may be false positive if the person is not adequately prepared for the study.
In addition, the following diseases and conditions lead to erroneous tests:
- Intoxication of the body.
- Exacerbation of existing ailments of a chronic nature.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Pneumonia.
- Stroke.
- Tuberculosis.
- Rheumatoid pathologies.
- Diabetes.
- Behnier-Beck-Schauman disease.
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- Brucellosis.
- Leptospirosis.
Before the study, it is necessary to inform the attending physician regarding the existing diseases. This will help him better decipher the analysis for syphilis.
Preparation
The study is very serious. As well as before taking biomaterial for hepatitis and HIV, analysis for syphilis requires prior compliance with some recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to exclude fatty foods from the diet a day before the study. Their use leads to opalescence of blood serum. As a result, both the conclusion and the transcript of the analysis for syphilis will be erroneous.
Biological material is delivered on an empty stomach. Before some studies, it is not recommended to eat food for 12 hours. There are tests that do not require such a prolonged fasting. For their conduct, it is enough not to eat 4 hours. The doctor always voices the patient the duration of the fasting period.
Significantly affects the result of smoking and the use of alcohol-containing drinks. It is necessary to give up alcohol 24 hours before the delivery of the biomaterial. No smoking is allowed 1 hour before the test.
To obtain reliable results and the correct subsequent decryption of the analysis for syphilis, it is necessary to notify the doctor about taking medications. Antibacterial drugs have the greatest impact on the result. It is recommended to take the analysis no earlier than a week after the end of their intake.
Algorithm for taking biomaterial
Venous blood sampling is carried out according to standard methods. The nurse pulls his hand in the area above the elbow and asks the person to squeeze and unclench his fist several times. The skin in the ulnar vein area is treated with medical alcohol. After that, a specialist inserts a needle into a blood vessel. After the required amount of biomaterial is received, it is removed.
To identify syphilis, a doctor may consider it appropriate to conduct a study of cerebrospinal fluid. The algorithm of her fence is as follows:
- The patient lies on the couch and turns to one side, pressing his knees to his stomach.
- The site of the alleged puncture is treated with medical alcohol.
- The doctor performs local anesthesia if necessary. Most patients claim that anesthesia is not necessary. Despite the fact that the procedure is associated with a certain discomfort, it does not cause severe pain.
- A sterile needle is punctured in the region of the 3rd and 4th vertebra, just below the end of the spinal cord. The syringe is removed after 10 ml of cerebrospinal fluid is drawn into it. During the procedure, the color and flow rate of the biological material are also evaluated.
- The doctor seals the puncture site with a band-aid.
If the skin of the patient already has ulcers, he may be assigned an analysis of the pathological discharge. The biomaterial is taken by scraping.
Interpretation of Results
It is important to remember that a doctor should deal with the decoding of a blood test for syphilis. During the interpretation, he studies the conclusion and makes a conclusion regarding the presence of pathology, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's health. The information below is provided for information, it does not encourage a person to make a diagnosis on their own.
The precipitation microreaction test is informative after 30 days from the moment of infection. The biomaterial may be blood or cerebrospinal fluid. The test for syphilis is positive if the concentration of antibodies in the titer is 1: 2 - 1: 320. The result of the study may be false negative if the disease is at a very early stage of development.
Wasserman reaction can provide objective information 1.5 months after infection. It is customary to talk about syphilis if the concentration of antibodies in the titer is from 1: 2 to 1: 800.
In addition, the reaction results are evaluated as follows:
- “-” - pathology is excluded;
- “+” And “++” - the disease is possible;
- "+++" - the patient is infected with treponema, that is, he has syphilis.
- "++++" - the reaction is sharply positive, the ailment clearly develops.
The immunofluorescence reaction is as informative as possible 2 months after infection. Deciphering the blood test for syphilis by the RIF method: the “-” sign means that the patient is healthy, the marks “+”, “++”, “+++”, “++++” are considered positive results. Moreover, the presence of one or two pluses is an indication for a more detailed examination. Three and four signs indicate the development of pathology.
The passive agglutination reaction refers to rapid tests. In addition, this method is considered highly sensitive. It is customary to talk about syphilis if the result is 1: 320 or more. At the same time, this minimum indicator indicates that a person has been infected recently. Higher titles indicate that treponema has long been in the body.
Deciphering the analysis of ELISA for syphilis is best entrusted to a doctor. This is due to the fact that the study has many nuances. The method involves the detection of various groups of antibodies in the blood.
If the biomaterial contains IgA, but no IgG and IgM, this indicates that pale treponema penetrated the human body about 2 weeks ago. The presence of IgA and IgM and the absence of IgG indicate that about 4 weeks have passed since the infection. If all antibody groups are found in the blood, this indicates that treponema penetrated the body more than a month ago. The presence of IgM and IgG and the absence of IgA indicates recovery after treatment. The interpretation of the analysis for syphilis in this case may be different. A negative reaction to IgA in some cases indicates that a lot of time has passed since the infection.
Immunoblotting is an accurate and expensive test. Its information content is 99%. If, when decoding the tmpa analysis, an immunoblot for syphilis IgG was detected, this indicates that the result is positive. This technique is carried out in the presence of doubtful results of other analyzes.
Therefore, it is recommended that you entrust the interpretation of the tests to your doctor. The specialist will evaluate the results of studies on antibodies and make a final verdict.
What to do if syphilis is diagnosed
A dermatovenerologist is involved in the treatment of the disease. If the test for syphilis is positive, do not delay with going to the doctor and use non-traditional methods. The disease is associated with many difficulties, only a qualified specialist can help get rid of it.
Pathology at the initial stage responds well to treatment. As a rule, the basis of therapy is the use of the antibiotic Penicillin. If the patient has a severe allergic reaction, medicines related to macrolides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones are prescribed. The same drugs are used for the ineffectiveness of penicillin-based products.
Along with antibiotics, medication with bismuth is prescribed. The dosage regimen and regimen are determined by the doctor individually. Treatment of syphilis even at an early stage involves the patient being in a hospital. With the timely detection of the disease and the correct therapy, it is possible to get rid of the disease in 3-4 months.
In the late stage, syphilis affects most organs and systems. But even in this case, one can hope for a favorable forecast. Treatment of advanced forms involves taking the same medications as at an early stage. The patient must be in the hospital during therapy. He is shown taking medications based on bismuth and penicillin (or tetracycline), then these drugs are administered intravenously.
Even after recovery, it is necessary to be examined regularly by a doctor. You need to take tests until the serological signs of the disease completely disappear. After the illness, the restoration of blood takes a very long time.
Where to turn in
Diagnostics can be done both in public and private medical institutions. If you have an insurance policy, an analysis in the clinic at the place of residence is free of charge. But in state institutions, the reaction of Wasserman is traditional.
For a more in-depth examination, it is recommended to contact a private clinic. For example, at the address: Moscow, st. Rogova, 22, bldg. 3, the clinic "Sinevo". Only qualified specialists are involved in deciphering the analysis for syphilis. If necessary, they will prescribe treatment. Other options: the medical center "Spectra" (ul. Gerasima Kurina, d. 16), "BestKlinik" (Spartakovsky lane, d. 2, p. 11) and the clinic "Soyuz" (st. Matrosskaya Tishina, d. 14A).
Cost
The price of the study depends on the method chosen. The cost of a standard Wasserman reaction is an average of 200-300 rubles. The price of other studies, as a rule, does not exceed 1000 rubles.
Finally
Syphilis is a disease that poses a threat not only to health, but also to the life of the patient. Everyone should undergo regular research. Currently, there are several methods for diagnosing syphilis. With their help, you can not only identify pathology at an early stage, but also evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, an annual test for syphilis, hepatitis and HIV is recommended.