Detection of Treponema pallidum in whole blood samples of patients with syphilis by the polymerase chain reaction

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The diagnosis is based on clinical data and serological analysis; however, the sensitivity and specificity of such tests may vary depending on the type of test and stage of the infection. In order to overcome this premise, this study utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of T. pallidum DNA in whole blood samples of patients with syphilis. The blood samples from patients with or without symptoms of syphilis, but with positive results in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were included in this study. A venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test was performed for all collected sera samples. For PCR, the T. pallidum DNA was extracted from the collected blood samples and a specific primer set was designed to amplify 131 nucleotides of polA (Tp0105). The specificity of the primers was evaluated with the DNA of 17 different pathogens. From a total of 314 blood samples reactive in ELISA, 58.2% (183/314) of the samples were reactive in the VDRL test. In the PCR, 54% (168/314) of the ELISA-reactive samples were positive. In both tests (VDRL and PCR) 104 samples were positive. Of 104 positive samples for both tests, 71 were at the latent stage. Based on these results, it can be concluded that PCR with the designed set of primers can be utilized as a diagnostic method for T. pallidum detection in blood samples of patients with syphilis, especially those with latent infection. In addition, it can be utilized as a supplement for serological methods to improve the diagnosis of syphilis

Descriptive analysis of syphilis cases reported in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil identifies failure in treatment

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Syphilis infection remains an alarming public health problem worldwide. METHODS: This study analyzed syphilis cases listed in the Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration (SINAN) of Mato Grosso do Sul state in Brazil between January 2013 and December 2014. RESULTS: Most of the evaluated syphilis cases would have been preventable through public education, particularly congenital syphilis in children of previously diagnosed mothers and infection by untreated sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of syphilis could be reduced by improving prevention through counselling on the risk of infection, improving access to condoms, and increasing the frequency of diagnostic tests

High mortality rate associated with KPC-producing Enterobacter cloacae in a Brazilian hospital

We describe a clonal dissemination of KPC-producing Enterobacter cloacae in a Brazilian hospital. Patients diagnosed with theses isolates showed high mortality rate (41.8%) and were associated with previous use of antibiotics and urinary catheterization. Therefore, infection control measures and use of stricter antibiotic policies are required to control the spread of these organisms. (C) 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq)Support Foundation for the Development of Education, Science and Technology in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT grant)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel SuperiorFUNDECTUFGD, Lab Pesquisa Ciencias Saude, Dourados, MS, BrazilUFGD, Hosp Univ Dourados, Dourados, MS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Lab ALERTA, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, BrazilFdn Osvaldo Cruz, Campo Grande, MS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Lab ALERTA, Disciplina Infectol, Sao Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 480949/2013-1FUNDECT: 0077/12FUNDECT: 0212/12Web of Scienc