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Memorias del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud
On-line version ISSN 1812-9528
Abstract
VILLAGRA, Verónica et al. Performance of a rapid test for the diagnosis of syphilis in puerperal women. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2016, vol.14, n.3, pp.115-120. ISSN 1812-9528. https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2016.014(03)115-120.
Due to its impact on maternal and child health, syphilis demands quality in prevention and treatment. The rapid test is an appropriate screening tool with a sensitivity of 84-97% and specificity from 84%. In Paraguay, rapid tests have been validated and incorporated into health programs. The performance of a rapid test for syphilis was evaluated compared with Treponema particle agglutination assay (TPHA) in samples of puerperal women sent to the Central Laboratory of Public Health from birthing hospitals of the Capital City, and three departments: Central, Concepción and Alto Paraná between 2011 and 2012. Of the 334 samples tested, 108 were positive by both tests (rapid test and TPHA test), and 182 were negative by both. The rest presented discordant results (23 positive with the rapid test and TPHA negative and 21 negative by rapid test and positive for TPHA). The sensitivity of the rapid test compared with the TPHA was 83.72% (95% CI 75.96 to 89.42%) and specificity 88.78% (95% CI 83.45 to 92.61).
Keywords : Syphilis; rapid test; validation.