Value of serological diagnosis in congenital syphilis. Report of nine cases.

The diagnosis of congenital syphilis is difficult since it depends mainly on the results of serological tests. The results of five serological tests (three specific and two non-specific) in nine neonates with congenital syphilis are compared with those obtained in three with passively acquired antibodies. It appeared that the serological diagnosis of congenital syphilis must be based on the finding of specific neonatal antibodies in cord serum, which give positive results to the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test for immunoglobulin M, together with high titres of total IgM and negative results to latex tests. The non-specific tests are useful for confirming the efficacy of treatment. The mean number of cases of congenital syphilis in Seville is 0.81/1000 live births.