Neonatal testing for suspected congenital syphilis:
The interpretation of syphilis in neonates requires specialist input as no single test can be used to diagnose congenital syphilis. Passive transfer of maternal antibodies makes interpretation of neonate serology more complex. Specifically, conducting treponemal tests such as TPHA/TPPA and/or SEIA/CLIA screen testing on neonatal serum is not recommended as passively transferred maternal antibodies can persist for >15 months.
When taking samples for testing, paired Maternal serum is required at the same time as paired tests are run comparatively in the same runs and reagents. Send a neonatal venous blood sample (not umbilical cord sample) for syphilis serology (RPR nontreponemal and Treponemal IgM antibody) together with Maternal venous blood for RPR at the time of delivery (if no result recently available at the same testing lab from the previous 4 weeks). Refer to link below to NZSHS website "Syphilis in Pregnancy-Antenatal Management Guidelines for maternal and congenital syphilis."
www.nzshs.org/guidelines
Do not send umbilical cord blood as this can become contaminated with Maternal blood and yield false-positive results, and Wharton's jelly within the umbilical cord can yield a false-negative result.
Test Availability - By arrangement with Virology/Serology