PHO Microbiology Rounds: Syphilis: Controlling an Old Disease with Modern Technologies

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection and if left untreated, it can progress to cause serious complications involving the heart, central nervous system and other internal organs. The disease has been nationally notifiable since 1924; however, a recent increase in infection rates has generated renewed interest in this old disease. In this presentation, the laboratory diagnosis of syphilis will be reviewed and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Five Year Action Plan in response to the Pan Canadian framework on Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI) will be discussed, with emphasis on recent activities at the National Microbiology Laboratory Branch (NMLB). Newer diagnostic methods and challenges moving ahead will also be discussed.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain laboratory diagnostic methods for syphilis
• Describe PHAC’s Five-Year Action plan on STBBI with emphasis on syphilis and NMLB’s response to the current increase in infection rates.
• Recognize newer diagnostic methods and appreciate the challenges in syphilis diagnosis

Presenter(s): Dr. Raymond Tsang