Prevalence of Treponema pallidum Antibodies in Sera of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infected and Uninfected Ghanaians

Abstract

Serum samples that were sent n\ [0 the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NM1MR) to be tested for HIV infection using Western Blot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were tested for antibodies) to Treponema pallidum. In all 102 HIV-positive and negative sera were tested. Forty-one (41.2%) HIV positive sera were positive in the T pallidum heamagglutination assay (TPHA) while only 8(7.8%) of the HIV negative sera were positive. HIV positive sera also showed higher antibody titres of syphilis (than the HIV negative sera (305 ± 296 versus 86 ± 96; t 1.86. p> 0.05). These findings suggest some association between HIV infection and reactivity in TPIIA serology. It also confirms the presence of sexual transmission in the study population as both diseases are sexually transmitted. The establishment of STD clinics where detailed interview sessions, physical as well as serological examinations of subjects could he conducted is indicated.