Aa. Burton et al., ROUTINE SEROLOGIC SCREENING FOR SYPHILIS IN HOSPITALIZED-PATIENTS - HIGH PREVALENCE OF UNSUSPECTED INFECTION IN THE ELDERLY, Sexually transmitted diseases, 21(3), 1994, pp. 133-136
Background and Objectives: To evaluate the potential yield of routine
serologic testing for syphilis in hospitalized patients. Study Design:
Sera from consecutive patients admitted to an inpatient general medic
al service of a Baltimore hospital were tested using the RPR and FTA-A
BS tests for syphilis. Two hundred ninety-one (149 males and 142 femal
es) of 344 patients (85%) hospitalized during the study period partici
pated, with ages ranging from 17 to 98 years. Seventy-seven percent of
participants were African-American. Results of serologic tests for sy
philis and human immunodeficiency virus were correlated with questionn
aire responses. Associations were sought between results of serologic
testing and demographic characteristics, medical problems, and a histo
ry of syphilis. Results: No patient had an admitting diagnosis of syph
ilis. Thirty-seven patients (13%) had both reactive RPR and FTA-ABS te
sts. Although serologic evidence of syphilis was significantly associa
ted with age older than 50 years and with a history of syphilis, 59% o
f patients with both reactive RPR and PTA-ARS tests did not give a his
tory of syphilis. Ten percent of patients were HIV seropositive; howev
er HIV seropositivity was not significantly associated with serologic
evidence of syphilis. Conclusion: Unsuspected latent syphilis was comm
on in this population. Routine serologic screening for syphilis should
be considered in some hospitals.