Abstract

Treatment monitoring in syphilis using the automated Reiter protein complement fixation test and the automated reagin test was investigated over a two-year period. Clearly defined response patterns were demonstrated in primary and secondary syphilis and, to a lesser extent, in latent syphilis, thus facilitating the assessment of treatment and the identification of treatment failures and reinfection. No obvious treatment failures were detected in those patients receiving penicillin, but two failures were noted in a group of patients with secondary syphilis treated with doxycyline. The combination of two automated tests overcame some of the disadvantages inherent in the use of a single reagin test.