Neurosyphilis and Cerebrospinal Fluid Tests
Authors: Steven J. Sperber, Charles J. Schleupner, J. Boyd Francis
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Letters and Corrections1 May 1986Neurosyphilis and Cerebrospinal Fluid TestsSTEVEN J. SPERBER, M.D., CHARLES J. SCHLEUPNER, M.D., J. BOYD FRANCIS, M.D.STEVEN J. SPERBER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, CHARLES J. SCHLEUPNER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, J. BOYD FRANCIS, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-5-724_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: We agree with several of the points made by Dans and colleagues (1) in their recent review on the inappropriate use of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) VDRL test, and we believe it bears reemphasizing that the role of the CSF-VDRL test is to "rule in" rather than "rule out" neurosyphilis. Additionally, the importance of the serum fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) or the microhemagglutinationTreponema pallidum(MHA-TP) tests over the serum VDRL test in persons with late syphilis should be emphasized. We are concerned, however, with the authors' conclusion that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should...References1. DANSCAFFERTYOTTERJOHNSON PPSR. Inappropriate use of the cerebrospinal fluid venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test to exclude neurosyphilis. Ann Intern Med. 1986;104:86-89. LinkGoogle Scholar2. . 1985 STD treatment guidelines. MMWR. 1985;34(suppl 1):94S-9S. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. MOHRGRIFFITHSJACKSONSAADAHBIRDRIDDLE JWRHPJ. Neurosyphilis and penicillin levels in cerebrospinal fluid. JAMA. 1986;236:2208-9. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. GREENEMILLERBYNUM BNT. Failure of penicillin G benzathine in the treatment of neurosyphilis. Arch Intern Med. 1980;140:1117-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. REIN M. Treatment of neurosyphilis. JAMA. 1981;246:2613. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar1. DANS P. The great zebra hunt: a view of internal medicine from the walk-in clinic. Pharos. 1978;41:2-6. Google Scholar2. JAFFEKABINS HS. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with syphilis. Rev Infect Dis. 1982;4(6 suppl):S842-7. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. DANSJUDSONLARSENLANTZ PFSM. The FTA-ABS test: a diagnostic help or hindrance? South Med J. 1977;70:312-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. GOODHARTBROWNZAIDIPOPELARSENBARROW GSAVSJ. Blinded proficiency testing of FTA-ABS test. Arch Intern Med. 1981;141:1045-50. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. WIESELROSESILVERSACKSBERNSTEIN JDAHR. Lumbar puncture in asymptomatic late syphilis: an analysis of the benefits and risks. Arch Intern Med. 1985;145:465-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. ROTHENBERG R. Treatment of neurosyphilis. J Am Vener Dis Assoc. 1976;3:153-8. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Roanoke Memorial Hospitals Roanoke, VA 24033 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 May 1986Volume 104, Issue 5Page: 724-726KeywordsCerebrospinal fluidColony stimulating factorFluorescent treponemal antibody absorption testingSyphilisTreponema pallidum Issue Published: 1 May 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...