Rapid immunochromatographic test for syphilis.

Confirmatory test for syphilis such as fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test (FTA-ABS), Treponema pallidum immobilization test (TPI), Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) test are technically demanding and not available in most developing country settings outside of reference laboratories. By far, TPHA test has the sensitivity and specificity almost similar to that of FTA-ABS test and is considered as an attractive alternative to the expensive and technically demanding FTA-ABS and TPI test for serodiagnosis of syphilis, however, simple rapid treponema specific tests are urgently required for the use in primary health care, private settings, and for high risk patients who are often untraceable. Therefore, one step dipstick test for syphilis namely Syphicheck kit was used in our hospital for rapid confirmation.