Characteristics of polymerase chain reaction-positive syphilis cases in Manitoba, Canada, 2017 to 2020: Demographic analysis, specimen types, and Treponema pallidum gene targets.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A resurgence of syphilis infections has been described in a number of countries including Canada in the last decade.

Methods

This study identified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive syphilis cases based on detection of Treponema pallidum genes (polA, tpp47, and bmp) in 3,350 clinical specimens obtained from patients in the province of Manitoba, Canada between 2017 and 2020. Patient demographics were obtained from specimen requisition forms.

Results

PCR identified 740 syphilis cases: 718 were adolescents and adults, while 22 were congenital syphilis cases. For non-congenital syphilis investigation, the clinical specimens with the highest yield of positive PCR results were genital (632), oral (73), and anal (55), while for co

SUBMITTER: Tsang RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9629728 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature