Seroprevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women Attending Best Care Hospital-Khartoum

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by Treponema pallidum, it is transmitted by direct contact with a sore on an infected person and can also be transmitted to the baby through the placenta during pregnancy or by contact with a sore during birth. The disease progresses to granulomatous lesions in skins, bones, liver, central nervous system, and cardiovascular lesions and form degenerative changes. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women attending in Best Care Hospital. Methods: One hundred pregnant women attending in Best care Hospital Khartoum for routine Treponema pallidum were screened for antibody by taking a serum sample and using RPR test, and the positive results were confirmed using ELISA technique. Results: Seroprevalence of syphilis among pregnant women in Best Care Hospital Khartoum was 10% (10/100) by RPR. Furthermore, 5(50%) were confirmed by ELISA. The highest Laboratory medicine journal 2018 Original article LMJ 2018; Vol.1; issue (1) P a g e | 2 seroprevalence of syphilis (50%) with RPR was observed among pregnant women within (20 – 25 years) age group. Conclusion: This study indicated that syphilis is prevalent among healthy pregnant women; and a further test may be applied like Treponema palladium haem agglutination assay (TBHA). Key words: Syphilis, pregnant women, Best Care Hospital Khartoum, RPR, ELISA.