Serological tests for syphilis performed in the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory in Poznań in 2005-2009

Introduction: Discovery of the aetiological factor of syphilis in 1905 initiated dynamic development of disease laboratory diagnosis. Currently it is based on specific and unspecific serological reactions.
Aim: To compare and analyse numbers of positive serological reactions received during 2005-2009 in the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Dermatology, Karol Marcinkowski Medical University in Poznań.
Material and methods: 27 992 results of serological tests for syphilis, which were performed in a group of 17 719 persons from the whole Wielkopolska region, were analysed. The test tool was data analysis and comparison analysis.
Results: The most serological tests for syphilis in the investigated time period were performed in the year 2005. From 2006 to 2009 the number of investigations reached a certain plateau. The percentage of positive serological results in the investigated time period was: 10.12% (2005), 12.48% (2006), 17.07% (2007), 22.23% (2008) and 18.68% (2009).
Conclusions: 1. During the investigated period a significant difference in the number of performed syphilis serological tests was recorded. 2. A general tendency for patients to turn up for serological tests in January was observed. 3. A significant difference between investigated time periods was observed in the case of positive results for different serological tests.