Treponema pallidum Infection among a Cohort of Pregnant Women in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Maternal syphilis is associated with many adverse outcomes like spontaneous abortion, still birth, low birth weight, premature delivery and congenital syphilis. This study therefore was to determine the seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum infection in pregnant women accessing antenatal care from a federal medical centre in Nigeria.  Methodology: Serum samples from 185 consenting pregnant women were screened for Treponema pallidum infection using Rapid Plasma Reagin test and the positive sample confirmed using syphilis rapid test (Clinotech Laboratories & Pharmaceuticals, Canada). The biodata of each participant was obtained.  Results: Of these, only one woman was seroreactive to Treponema pallidum infection. The prevalence of infection in the study population was 0.5%. Her biodata showed that she was married in her second trimester, has secondary education and is unemployed. Conclusion: Despite the very low prevalence of infection, it is important to note that the index case in this study was asymptomatic. Therefore, routine screening for Treponema pallidum at the first antenatal visit and early in the third trimester is advocated because early diagnosis and treatment are paramount especially in the prevention of mother to child transmission.