Comparative Evaluation of VDRL Test and Point-of-Care Test (POCT) for the Diagnosis of Syphilis in Pregnant Women

Swati  Nirmal; Nadeem  Ahmad; Asemeh  Jarir; Shukla  Das

doi:10.18502/jmb.v13i3.19505

Swati Nirmal Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Nadeem Ahmad Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Asemeh Jarir Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Shukla Das Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmb.v13i3.19505

Keywords: Antenatal screening, POCT, Syphilis, TPHA, VDRL

Abstract

Background: Syphilis is a venereal disease caused by Treponema pallidum affecting 12 millionpeople each year, worldwide. Treponema pallidum cannot be cultivated in vitro and is thus diagnosedclinically by; direct demonstration of treponemes based on dark field microscopy, Polymerase chainreaction (PCR) and/or serology methods.

Methods: A total of 100 serum samples from women attending antenatal clinic for syphilis screeningwere taken. VDRL test and syphilis rapid card (POCT) were performed as per the manufacturer’sprotocol. TPHA test was performed for the confirmation.

Results: All the 100 antenatal patients were screened for syphilis using VDRL, Syphilis card test(POCT), and confirmation was done by TPHA. Three samples were reactive by both VDRL andPOCT giving a positivity of 3%. Those three samples positive by the VDRL and POCT were alsopositive by TPHA test.

Conclusion: Antenatal syphilis screening with immunochromatographic assays, along side theconfirmatory tests such as TPHA, offers a cost-effective solution, and further research isrecommended to assess its feasibility and wider application in peripheral health settings.