Nesreen Abu Yousif Hamid
Syphilis is a common blood-borne disease in area where the disease is endemic. The aim of the study is to detect the Treponema pallidum antibodies among Sudanese pregnant women in antenatal clinics and hospital in Khartoum and Omdurman During November to December 2019, hundreds of blood specimens collected from pregnant women and tested for anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies using rapid plasma regain RPR, LAB21 healthcare TPHA and Enzyme-linked Immunoassay ELISA. Among the 100 pregnant women tested, 12(12%) showed positive result for T. palladium antibodies by Syphilis Treponema pallidum antibody ELISA (Fortress diagnostic, UK). Ten (10%) of the specimens were serologically identified using TPHA test kit (LAB 21heathcare, UK); while only 9(9%) were reactive when tested by rapid plasma regain test device (china). Interestingly, an individual with positive ELISA for Treponema pallidum antibodies showed false negative result in the syphilis rapid plasma regain test device, In conclusion, syphilis is an important blood-borne disease among Sudanese pregnant women syphilis RPR and TPHA are cheap and technically easy and thus suitable for routine application; however their low sensitivity, as compared to the standard ELISA, limited their value to be used in syphilis prevention program.