25 Jul
Syphilis is caused by infection with the spirochete Treponema pallidum. The infection is systemic and is characterized by periods of latency. The RPR test is an effective screening test for syphilis, which then must be confirmed by specific treponemal test like T. pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS).