A clinical audit of maternal syphilis in a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases
| Field | Value | |
| Title | A clinical audit of maternal syphilis in a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| Creator | Onyangunga, Onankoy A. Naicker, Thajasvarie Moodley, Jagidesa | |
| Description | Background: Despite the availability of screening guidelines and effective treatment for maternal syphilis (MS), its prevalence remains high and is re-emerging in many parts of the world. This might be because of varying screening tests and algorithms for the laboratory diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. In addition, HIV co-infection may compromise the elimination of MS. The present study is a clinical audit of the prevalence of MS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using the ‘Traditional Algorithm’ screening.Methods: This was a retrospective audit in which data on syphilis testing were obtained over a 1-year period (2016) at a large regional hospital in South Africa. The standard screening test at the study site was the non-treponemal antigen, rapid plasma reagin (RPR). Data on the prevalence of MS and comorbidity with HIV infection were analysed.Results: There were 10 680 deliveries in the study period of which 118 were RPR reactive, giving an MS prevalence of 1.1%. MS occurred predominantly in the age groups 18 and 35 years (p = 0.001). The prevalence of HIV infection was 41.2% (n = 4451). Seventy-two (61.0%) had both HIV and MS infection, whilst 46 (39.0%) had discordant results (p = 0.001).Conclusion: We report an increase in the prevalence of MS compared to previous South African National Antenatal Syphilis Surveillance studies. This may be because of the prozone effect caused by HIV infection on the sensitivity of the RPR. We propose a change in MS screening, using a Rapid DUO (Dual HIV and syphilis point of care test) and Reverse Algorithm for screening that could improve the sensitivity, detection and management of both diseases. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS Publishing | |
| Date | 2020-04-30 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajid.v35i1.115 | |
| Source | Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases; Vol 35, No 1 (2020); 5 pages 2313-1810 2312-0053 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/115/264
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/115/263
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/115/265
https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/115/262
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