Serological tests in venereal syphilis

Apart from identification of the causative microorganism, serological blood testing is still the principal aid in the diagnosis of venereal syphilis. In latent syphilis it is in fact the only diagnostic aid. In the diagnosis of late symptomatic syphilis, additional organ-specific diagnostic procedures are indispensable. Interpretation of the results of serological syphilis tests often poses problems in actual practice. Apart from possibly inadequate knowledge of the natural history of the disease and the course of serological syphilis tests, this may be due to the fact that a fairly large number of different tests are in use in The Netherlands. Often, moreover, a single laboratory result is expected to give a definite diagnosis.