Abstract

CUBA, Ximena et al. Syphilis: shadows in the diagnosis. Regarding a clinical case. Rev. Urug. Med. Int. [online]. 2023, vol.8, n.1, pp.46-53.  Epub Mar 01, 2023. ISSN 2393-6797.  https://doi.org/10.26445/08.01.5.

Syphilis is a potentially serious sexually transmitted infection. The clinical presentation is very varied, from cutaneous-mucosal to neurological manifestations. For the diagnosis, treponemal and non-treponemal laboratory studies are used, with which different algorithms are performed to reduce the limitations of each test separately. We discuss the case of a young man who presented with fever and skin lesions suggestive of secondary syphilis, with a false negative VDRL test due to prozone effect. This rare phenomenon is due to a disproportionately high concentration of antibodies. Knowing the diagnostic tools and working together with the laboratory team can facilitate the approach to the disease and timely treatment, thus reducing the mor bidity and mortality of patients.

Keywords : syphilis; VDRL; prozone.

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