Use of the INNO-LIA syphilis score assay in the resolution of discordant positive screening enzyme immunoassay results for the serological diagnosis of syphilis

Abstract

We studied the use of the INNO-LIA syphilis score assay in the resolution of discordant positive screening results of the Murex ICE Syphilis enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with the confirmatory results of both the Serodia Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) and the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-Abs) assays, for the serological diagnosis of syphilis. This was an observational study on the serum samples received by the Syphilis Laboratory, Hong Kong, during the period from January 2006 to December 2012. A total of 801 serum samples with discordant positive screening EIA results were used. Consensus results of such serum samples were derived from results of the EIA, TPPA and FTA-abs assays. The age range of the individuals was 14 to 104 years (median of 52). There were 369 males and 432 females. Of 378 serum samples, 139 showed agreement among positive results, 23 of 310 showed agreement among indeterminate results and 277 of 465 showed agreement among negative results. The proportions of agreement among positive, indeterminate and negative results were 0.37 (95% CI 0.32-0.42), 0.07 (95% CI 0.05-0.11) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.55-0.64), respectively; kappa 0.55 (95% CI 0.49-0.60). There were 60 serum samples with positive consensus results but negative INNO-LIA syphilis score results and 10 with negative consensus results but positive INNO-LIA syphilis score results. Although the INNO-LIA syphilis score assay can be considered a valid alternative confirmatory test for the serological diagnosis of syphilis, the present study showed that its use in the resolution of discordant positive screening EIA results was moderate. A more extensive characterization of serum samples with discordant reactive screening treponemal test results is necessary.