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Protocols for Detection and Typing of Treponema pallidum Using PCR Methods

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Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 903))

Abstract

Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is a sexually transmitted disease which was epidemic in Europe between the 15th and 20th century. From 2000 onwards it is worldwide mostly encountered among men who have sex with men but also among women in resource poor setting. Syphilis can easily be treated with penicillin but can become chronic, if left untreated. The disease develops in several stages with ulcerative lesions in the primary stage, and systemic spread to organs via the blood in later stages. Taking swab samples from these ulcerative lesions gives the best options for detection by PCR of T. palillidum. Alternatively blood samples can be analyzed in later stages. If tested positive in screening PCR assays, T. pallidum can also be typed by molecular methods, enabling molecular epidemiology. Different protocols are discussed in this chapter, that include all steps from sample collection, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and detection. The combination of all steps together determine the final sensitivity and specificity of T. pallidum PCR.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Laboratory, GGD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    S. M. Bruisten

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  1. S. M. Bruisten
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Correspondence to S. M. Bruisten .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospital, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätssraße 1, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany

    Colin R. MacKenzie

  2. University Hospital, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätssraße 1, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany

    Birgit Henrich

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Bruisten, S.M. (2012). Protocols for Detection and Typing of Treponema pallidum Using PCR Methods. In: MacKenzie, C., Henrich, B. (eds) Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 903. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-937-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-937-2_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-936-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-937-2

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