Diagnosis of Syphilis is Usually Made By

Question

Diagnosis of syphilis is usually made by
A) the MHA-TP test.
B) culturing specimens on laboratory media.
C) microscopic evaluation of stained specimens.
D) DNA probes.
E) a Pap smear.

Accepted Answer

The MHA-TP (microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum) test is a serological test used to diagnose syphilis by detecting antibodies against the bacterium that causes it. It is considered the gold standard test for syphilis diagnosis.

Note: Culturing specimens on laboratory media is not a commonly used method for diagnosing syphilis as the bacterium that causes syphilis is difficult to culture in the lab. Microscopic evaluation of stained specimens, DNA probes, and Pap smear are also not commonly used methods for syphilis diagnosis.