Evaluation of nPCR for Detection of Treponema pallidum in Primary Syphilis

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of nPCR in detection of primary syphilis and improve the sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of primary syphilis.Methods: 195 cases of primary syphilis hospitalized from October 2010 to November 2011 and 120 cases of non syphilis at the same term were selected,tpp47 gene of Treponema pallidum from swabs and blood specimens were detected by nPCR assay.Results: 176 of 195 patients had positive nPCR results,with a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 100%,which were significantly higher than those detected by dark-field microscopy or Tp-ELISA.Conclusion: The nPCR method had higher sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of primary syphilis.,which was a useful addition to serology and dark-field microscopy for the diagnosis of primary syphilis.