Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Syphilis During Pregnancy?
Hello, Dr. I have a question My wife has been pregnent for about 5 months and has been, taking her routine check ups and blood tests. Now On her last check up, her latest blood work is showing that she could have syfilis. The doctor also said, they are not sure but it also could be another virus.
Now From her last 2 blood tests it did not show that she has it, all of a sudden it is showing she does.
Is there other virus'? that have the same symptoms of Syfilis?
Now From her last 2 blood tests it did not show that she has it, all of a sudden it is showing she does.
Is there other virus'? that have the same symptoms of Syfilis?
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 8 Dec 2014
Answered on
Mon, 8 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I have taken note of your query.
Screening for syphilis is with VDRL. VDRL can give Biologic falsely positive (BFP) reactivity, specially if it is in low titres. Pregnancy is one of the many causes of BFP test result. Your doctor is right in suspecting that it could be unrelated to syphilis.
Others being viral infections, tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria, connective tissue diseases, vaccinations etc
Moreover, VDRL is not a confirmatory test for syphilis.
TPHA is a specific test for syphilis and is confirmatory. She can take up TPHA testing.
If TPHA turns out to be negative then it can be safely assumed that your's was a BFP reactivity during pregnancy showing up as postive VDRL, rather than actually due to syphilis.
Regards
I have taken note of your query.
Screening for syphilis is with VDRL. VDRL can give Biologic falsely positive (BFP) reactivity, specially if it is in low titres. Pregnancy is one of the many causes of BFP test result. Your doctor is right in suspecting that it could be unrelated to syphilis.
Others being viral infections, tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria, connective tissue diseases, vaccinations etc
Moreover, VDRL is not a confirmatory test for syphilis.
TPHA is a specific test for syphilis and is confirmatory. She can take up TPHA testing.
If TPHA turns out to be negative then it can be safely assumed that your's was a BFP reactivity during pregnancy showing up as postive VDRL, rather than actually due to syphilis.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Pandemic
Loading Online Doctors....