Specific immunoglobulin M and G antibodies in the rapid diagnosis of human treponemal infections.

The serological response to treponemal infections in men before and after specific treatment is analyzed. From the described observations several consequences and possibilities for a specific immunological diagnosis are discussed. In particular, it is shown that early diagnosis of syphilis in need of treatment can be achieved by demonstration of T pallidum-specific IgM antibodies. Finally, new insights into the role of antibody correlations between serum and cerebrospinal fluid are mentioned that have established the detection of asymptomatic neurosyphilis.