Appraisal of RPR and TP-ELISA for Detecting Syphilis in Blood Donors

Objective To analyse the effects of non-special and the special serological method for screening of syphilis,and to choose syphilis serological method for blood supply institutes.Method A total of 48 235 samples of blood donor were tested with RPR(rapid plasma reaotive test)and TP-ELISA.The positive samples of both methods were retested with TPPA confirmed test kits.Results The positive rate of RPR was 0.21%(103/48 235),and the positive rate of TP-ELISA was 0.42%(202/48 235).There was significant difference in both methods(χ2=79.68,P 0.01).Totally 187 samples were confirmed syphilis positive by TPPA,and of them,98 samples was positive by RPR,accounting for 52.41%(98/187).180 samples was positive by TP-ELISA,accounting for 96.26%(180/187).Both tests had significant difference(χ2=94.23,P 0.01).A total of 111 negative samples by RPR,but positive by TP-ELISA,89 samples were confirmed to be positive by TPPA.12 negative samples by TP-ELISA,but positive by RPR,7 samples were confirmed to be positive by TPPA.Conclusion The positive rate of the screening of anti-syphilis antibodies is higher by TP-ELISA than that by RPR,but both tests exist omission and false negative,or false positive.If both tests are used for syphilis screening simultaneously,they would reduce syphilis transmission,and improve blood safety.