The Proportion of <i>Treponema pallidum</i> Polymerase Chain Reaction-Positive Primary Syphilis Infections That Are Seronegative for Syphilis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Earlier syphilis detection is needed to reduce infectiousness and transmission and to improve control. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Treponema pallidum is highly sensitive for detecting primary syphilis but is not often widely available or used. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the proportion of PCR-positive, seronegative primary syphilis infections when serology was performed at clinical presentation.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify studies of patients presenting with primary syphilis where T pallidum PCR was performed on the primary syphilis lesion and serology for syphilis was performed on the same occasion. The review was conducted according to the Cochrane protoco

SUBMITTER: Hughes Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12461845 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature