RPA titers

[lbr25]

I hope someone specializing in Infectious Disease can answer this question. When following an RPR titer of 1:128, then 1:32  - 6 months later after treatment, and finally a year later from initial diagnosis it was 1:16. Does this indicate the numbers are going in the right direction? And  out of curiosity does the initial titer indicate secondary stage if a lesion was also noted by patient?

[mkh9]

Yes that is great that the titer sounds like it is definitely going in the right direction. Do you know the reference range? It sounds negative but I would have to know your laboratories reference range. Also, they may repeat it to make sure it doesn't come back. Usually in the primary stage (first stage) of Syphilis you see the sore (chancre) which lasts about 3-6 weeks.

The titre doesn't tell what stage the Syphilis is in. It is the clinical symptoms. usually they do a back up test such as an FTA Antibody called (FTA-ABS) in 10-90 days to confirm you have it because not everyone has a chancre. These type of antibodies will be positive for life even after treatment. Like most diseases the body produces antibodies against foreign substances including bacteria. They can also do a dark field slide test on the chancre to see if they can find the actual bacteria. This would indicate present active disease as opposed to past infection. But if you really were diagnosed with a chancre by the doctor they know what they look like and that is only see in the primary stage and is also a sign of active current syphilis.
mkh9

[lbr25]

Sorry autocorrect mistyped my intended post  - it should have read RPR titers.