EVALUATION OF THE RAPID PLASMA REAGIN TEARDROP CARD TEST FOR SCREENING OF SYPHILIS IN FIELD CONDITIONS

Background and objectives: The availability of simple diagnostic metho ds may contribute to more efficient control of sexually transmitted di seases (STDs) in developing countries. For the detection of syphilis, a simple rapid plasma reagin (RPR) ''teardrop'' assay for finger-prick blood samples was developed in 1962. The reliability of this test is compared with RPR, Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA), a nd fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-Abs) assays perform ed on venous blood samples. Goal of this study: To evaluate the potent ial usefulness of the finger-stick RPR teardrop assay for diagnosis of syphilis in settings with poor medical resources. Study design: Pregn ant women evaluated at two health centers in Pikine, Senegal were test ed for STDs. The RPR teardrop assay was performed on plasma from blood samples obtained by finger prick, and standard RPR, TPHA, and FTA-Abs procedures were performed on serum obtained by vein puncture. Results : The sensitivity and specificity of the finger-prick RPR teardrop ass ay were 69.7% and 96.5%, respectively, and its reactivity was correlat ed with RPR serum antibody titer. Conclusion: The finger-prick RPR tea rdrop assay is not a reliable alternative to the classic serum RPR tes t.