RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Evaluation of seven rapid tests for syphilis available in Brazil using defibrinated plasma panels
JF Sexually Transmitted Infections
JO Sex Transm Infect
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP S46
OP S50
DO 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053177
VO 93
IS S4
A1 Maria Luiza Bazzo
A1 Leonardo Rapone da Motta
A1 Renata Cristina Messores Rudolf-Oliveira
A1 Alisson Bigolin
A1 Lisléia Golfetto
A1 Fábio Mesquita
A1 Adele Schwartz Benzaken
A1 Pamela Cristina Gaspar
A1 Ana Flavia Nacif P Coelho Pires
A1 Orlando da Costa Ferreira Júnior
A1 Miriam Franchini
YR 2017
UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/93/S4/S46.abstract
AB Objectives In 2012, the WHO estimated that 6 million new cases of syphilis per year would occur worldwide, including 937 000 in Brazil. Early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis are essential to reduce morbidity and prevent transmission. The availability of rapid tests (RTs) for this diagnosis means that testing can be performed more quickly, as a point-of-care test, even in non-laboratory environments and requires only simple technical training to antibodies detection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and operational aspects of seven commercially available RTs for syphilis in Brazil.Methods Seven rapid treponemal tests were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa value, according to a panel composed of 493 members. The operational performance of the assay was also determined for these tests.Results The seven RTs showed sensitivity ranging from 94.5% to 100% when compared with the reference tests and specificity of between 91.5% and 100%. All the RTs evaluated presented good operational performance, and only one failed to present the minimum specificity as defined by Brazil’s Ministry of Health.Conclusion All the tests presented good operational performance, and the professionals who performed them considered them to be easy to use and interpret. This evaluation is important for making informed choices of tests to be used in the Brazilian Unified Health System.