A study of point-of-care test to diagnose syphilis in Hong Kong

作者：Koh C C^*; Ho C K; Ho K M

来源：Hong Kong Journal of Dermatology & Venereology, 2015, 23(1): 5-12.

• Syphilis
• point-of-care syphilis test
• Social Hygiene Clinic
• Hong Kong

Background: In Hong Kong, a 'point-of-care' test (POC) syphilis test is used by some outreach teams of non-government organisations (NGO) for screening syphilis. In Hong Kong, in the public sector, sexually transmitted infections are seen at the outpatient clinics under the Social Hygiene Service. Objective: This study aimed to determine the performance of POC syphilis test among high risk people in Hong Kong. Methods: Patients were recruited from two Social Hygiene Clinics for the POC syphilis test. From October 2012 to February 2013, the following groups were recruited: (1) new attendees; (2) patients with newly diagnosed syphilis; (3) patients with a history of treated syphilis. Two different POC syphilis tests [Alere Determine (TM) Syphilis TP ("Alere Ltd", USA), Standard Diagnostics Bioline Syphilis 3.0 (Standard Diagnostics, Inc., Korea)] were performed. Results: A total of 356 patients were recruited. Overall results for Alere Determinem (TM) Syphilis TP ("Alere Ltd", USA) test was as follows: sensitivity 56.1%, specificity 100%. Overall results for Standard Diagnostics Bioline Syphilis 3.0 (Standard Diagnostics, Inc., Korea) test was as follows: sensitivity 57.4%, specificity 100%. Conclusion: Alere Determine (TM) Syphilis TP ("Alere Ltd", USA) and Standard Diagnostics Bioline Syphilis 3.0 (Standard Diagnostics, Inc., Korea) tests have high specificity in this study but high sensitivity in previous studies cannot be reproduced. Validation of POC syphilis test may be required before its use as a standard screening test for syphilis.

• 出版日期2015