About Syphilis
Determine Syphilis TP
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum
and is usually transmitted through sexual contact, but can also be
passed from a mother to her unborn child – known as congenital
syphilis – and endemic syphilis is transmitted by non-sexual
contact in communities living under poor hygiene conditions.
In common with other bacterial sexually transmitted infections,
syphilis is more common in poor populations who lack access to
treatment, and in those who have many sexual partners.
Whilst a curable sexually transmitted disease, if left untreated
it can become chronic, eventually leading to irreversible damage to
the heart and nervous system.
Syphilis remains a public health threat around the world with 12
million new cases being diagnosed each year. Sub-Saharan
Africa, South America and the Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle
East and South and South-East Asia account for over 90% of all
cases, though incidence is rapidly increasing in Eastern
Europe. Outbreaks in North America and Western Europe
indicate that the prevalence of the disease is increasing here
amongst homosexual men and intravenous drug users.
Congenital syphilis remains a major cause of morbidity and
mortality with around half a million infants born each year with
congenital syphilis and a similar figure of stillbirths and
miscarriages caused by maternal syphilis. Regular screening
of pregnant women would give them access to treatment at little
cost through a single dose of penicillin early in pregnancy.
More rapid testing, diagnosis and treatment of syphilis can
therefore not only help pregnant women, but it can also identify
and treat other patients with suspicious clinical lesions to reduce
the risk of spreading syphilis and other sexually transmitted
diseases.
Determine® Syphilis
TP provides easy, fast and accurate diagnosis and
can be relied upon almost anywhere in the world.