HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Latent Syphilis

default
Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015
Question: my VDRL RPR test was positive.I went for TPHA Test. it is also positive with titers 1:1280. i dont understand its interpretation. is it high? what should be the future course of action. can we plan pregnancy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Both you and your partner should be treated for syphilis

Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us.

i have taken note of your query and i have understood it.

Tpha is a specific test for syphilis. A positive Tpha test indicates either past or recent syphilis infection.

This test remains positive for lifetime of an individual once infected with syphilis & remains so even after adequate treatment for syphilis though the titres may fall over a period of time.

I assume you have never got treated for syphilis, and the fact that you are infected has come to light through this test.

Since it cannot be known the length of time you have been infected with syphilis, therefore, the best course of action would be to treat for late latent syphilis i.e weekly injections of Benzathine penicillin G for 3 weeks.
Both you and your partner should be treated the same way.

Once adequtely treated you can plan your pregnancy.

regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)
In 2013 my VDRL test was positive. I took doxycycline for 12 weeks. After completion of course VDRL test was repeated and it was non reactive. Now as we were planning for pregnancy. I repeated the test for me and my wife. My wife's report are non-reactive. Mine was reactive so i went for TPHA
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I suggest weekly Benzathine penicillin G injection

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I apologize for some delay in my reply.

Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) is the recommended first-line agent for treatment of syphilis (in the primary, secondary, and early latent stages).

Doxycycline is an alternative/ second line treatment for syphilis but it is given for 4 weeks rather than 12 weeks in latent stages
Even though you have been treated with doxycycline in past I still suggest re-treatment with Benzathine penicillin.
The reason being that Benzathine Penicillin G is the only recommended therapy in patients in whom adequate treatment/ satisfactory response to treatment for syphilis cannot be assured, particularly if patient was initially treated with a second line drug i.e patients in whom VDRL becomes reactive again after it became non-reactive once Or in whom VDRl titres either don't fall Or increase.

I want to rule out any history of extramarital sexual contact and re-infection in you? Is there any history of extra-marital sexual contact?

I also suggest you to get VDRL titres done. Though in latent stages of syphilis VDRL titres are generally low e.g either 1:2 or 1:4..
However, VDRL tites if detected high can be used to monitor response to treatment. They should fall 4 fold every 3 months after treatment.
Moreover, if the VDRL titres are detected high (i.e anywhere above 1:8) that also indicates re-treatment with Benzathine penicillin.

Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Latent Syphilis

Brief Answer: Both you and your partner should be treated for syphilis Detailed Answer: hello. thank you for writing to us. i have taken note of your query and i have understood it. Tpha is a specific test for syphilis. A positive Tpha test indicates either past or recent syphilis infection. This test remains positive for lifetime of an individual once infected with syphilis & remains so even after adequate treatment for syphilis though the titres may fall over a period of time. I assume you have never got treated for syphilis, and the fact that you are infected has come to light through this test. Since it cannot be known the length of time you have been infected with syphilis, therefore, the best course of action would be to treat for late latent syphilis i.e weekly injections of Benzathine penicillin G for 3 weeks. Both you and your partner should be treated the same way. Once adequtely treated you can plan your pregnancy. regards