Sexually transmitted infection (syphilis) in Long distance truck drivers

Abstract

Objective: This comparative cross sectional study was carried out in the department of
Microbiology Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of microbiology Sheikh
Zaid Hospital, Lahore on one hundred and ninety nine (199) long distance truck drivers. Presence
of syphilis was detected by rapid plasma reagin and enzyme link immunosorbent assay for
treponema pallidum syphilis.
Results: 10.5% Long distance truck drivers showed syphilis positive by enzyme link
immunesorbent assay and 20.1% by rapid plasma reagin. Number of cases missed by rapid
plasma regain were 03 (1.5%). Sensitivity ,specificity, positive predictive value and negative
predictive value of rapid plasma reagin compared with enzyme link immunosorbent assay were
85%, 87%,42% and 98% respectively.
Conclusion: Enzyme Link immunesorbent assay syphilis is more accurate for diagnosis of
syphilis than rapid plasma reagin