0000000000067404
AUTHOR
W. Bräuninger
PCR testing for Treponema pallidum in paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens: test design and impact on the diagnosis of syphilis
Background: Syphilis, a chronic infection caused by Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum), is a disease which is increasing in incidence, and thus more and more becoming a differential diagnosis in routine pathology. Aim: Since histological changes are not specific, we sought to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular assay for the detection of T. pallidum in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, and evaluate its diagnostic power, especially in comparison with other ancillary methods, i.e. immunohistochemistry and Dieterle staining. Methods: 36 skin biopsies with the clinical and /or serological diagnosis of syphilis were evaluated by morphology, immunohistochemistry and s…
Comparative analysis of immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction and focus-floating microscopy for the detection of Treponema pallidum in mucocutaneous lesions of primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis
Summary Background The incidence of syphilis is increasing in many parts of the world including a re-emergence in Western Europe and North America. Depending on the disease stage, direct detection of Treponema pallidum in mucocutaneous lesions of syphilis may be difficult and histopathological findings are not always straightforward. Thus, the correct histological diagnosis may be challenging. Objectives Comparatively to evaluate the evidence for infection with T. pallidum by immunohistochemistry (IHC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and focus-floating microscopy (FFM). Methods A series of 86 paraffin-embedded skin biopsy samples from patients with primary, secondary or tertiary syphili…