There are two kinds of syphilis: venereal syphilis, which is transmitted sexually and congenital syphilis, which is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child. Serological tests are used to diagnose syphilis because the pathogen is impossible to isolate in the laboratory. For example, one serological diagnostic test (FTA-ABS flourescent treponemal antibody-absorptiontest) is an immunoflourescence assay where a second antibody that fluoresces is used to detect antibodies bound to T. pallidum. However, this is a very expensive test, as it requires antibodies and a dark field microscope. Other test include VDRL (Venereal Disease Reasearch Lab), RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test, but a more economical diagnostic test is the Wassermann test. Named after the scientist who discovered an antigen in the blood of syphilis patients. The antigen was originally thought to be of bacterial origin, but is actually cardiolipin. Cardiolipin is a lipid resident in mitochondria and is released by lysing cells. The problem with this test is that it is nonspecific as many other infections can cause cardiolipin to be released into the bloodstream. Syphilis is generally treated very successfully with penicillin G and in some cases with tetracycline, or ceftriaxone in early stages. Later stages require stronger antibiotics for longer periods of time.
A Merck Advertisement from the 1940's
