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Case report
Positive serological tests for syphilis and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin

Abstract

We report the case of a man who tested positive for syphilis following the intravenous administration of human normal immunoglobulin as part of the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The chronology of the testing suggested the passive acquisition of treponemal antibody. This phenomenon is not widely documented in the medical literature, but is a theoretical risk of treatment, and serves as a reminder to be cautious in the interpretation of such serological tests.

  • CSF, cerebrospinal fluid
  • EIA, enzyme immunoassay
  • GBS, Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • HNIG, human normal immunoglobulin
  • RPR, rapid plasma reagin
  • TPHA, Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay
  • VDRL, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory
  • intravenous immunoglobulin
  • syphilis
  • serological tests

https://doi.org/10.1136/sti.2006.020503

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