Serological Specificity in the Detection of Syphilis among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal in Some Hospitals in Mubi Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Treponema pallidum (spirochetes). Syphilis remains a major cause of reproductive morbidity and poor pregnant outcomes in developing countries. This Research work seeks to determine the specificity of serological VDRL test for syphilis against the use of High Vaginal Swab in molecular detection of syphilis among pregnant women attending antenatal in some selected hospitals and clinics in Mubi North and South L.G.A. Adamawa State, Nigeria to subvert the challenges, hence finding lasting solution to the Reproductive and mental health challenges posed by secondary Syphilis. A total of 120 blood samples were collected from 120 consented pregnant women in batches from General hospital, Mubi, Sabon layi clinic, Lokuwa PHC, Lamurde maternity, Kwaja PHC and Alheri Nursing hospital all in Mubi North and South Local Government, during their Antenatal days. In all, 5(4.16%) of the samples were seropositive, with the highest prevalence recorded as 2(10.00%) of the 20 samples collected from Kwajah PHC in Mubi South L.G.A. The HVS of pregnant with positive serological test results were subjected to molecular nPCR test to amplify the tpp47 gene of Treponema pallidum. The only amplified fragment which arose from the positive as the only positive amplification products was analyzed for specificity in an agarose gel developed 0.01 % ethidium bromide for ease of visualization of the band of fragment weight 260 bp tpp47 gene of Treponema pallidum under U.V since all HVS samples showed no bands of amplification, no further sequencing was technically necessary.