Prevalence and correlates of active syphilis diagnosed using serological assays and the molecular research-use-only Aptima Treponema pallidum assay among pregnant women in Zambia, 2023
Introduction: assay [Hologic; transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay] among pregnant women attending four antenatal care facilities in Nchelenge, Zambia in 2023. Methods: ) were detected in clinician-collected vaginal swab samples using Aptima assays on the Panther system (Hologic). HIV testing was performed with the Determine HIV Test Kit, and bacterial vaginosis (BV) was diagnosed using Nugent's score. Active syphilis correlates were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: , and HIV infections were significant risk factors of active syphilis. Advanced gestational age (from 28 to 39 weeks) at enrolment was associated with significantly lower risk of syphilis positivity. Discussion: assay for suspected early syphilis can ensure timely detection of both seroconverted and seronegative early syphilis cases, early treatment and effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
Authors
- М Унемо
- Mitsuaki Matsui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4075-1266)
- Karel Blondeel
- Sumire Sorano
- Daniel Golparian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0688-2521)
- Mike Chaponda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7847-9435)
- Enesia Banda Chaponda
- Ephraim Chikwanda
- Massimo Mirandola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2342-5867)
- Joyce Mulenga
- Vivian Mwewa
- R Matthew Chico
- Daniel Schröder
- Chris Smith
- Igor Toskin
- Elena Shipitsyna
Institutions
- University of Verona (IT)
- The George Institute for Global Health (GB)
- Örebro University (SE)
- Ghent University (BE)
- University of Zambia (ZM)
- Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology named after D.O. Ott (RU)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- World Health Organization (CH)
- National Institute of Health (AM)
- St. Paul's Hospital (KR)
- Nagasaki University (JP)
- University College London (GB)
- Kobe University (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Public Health
- Published
- 2026-04-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1758573
- Primary Topic
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- UNICEF
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale
- Örebro Universitet
- Universitetssjukhuset Örebro