Based on a patient's medical history, a doctor suspects that the patient may have been exposed to syphilis several years prior.Since the patient is currently asymptomatic, the doctor will be testing to see if the patient is in the latent stage of syphilis.Which of the following would be the most effective way to diagnose syphilis during latency?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Serological testing of blood specimens is the most effective way to diagnose syphilis during the latent stage. This is because during latency, there are no symptoms or visible signs of the disease, so dark-field microscopy and culture of blood specimens would not be useful. Serological testing can detect antibodies to the bacteria that causes syphilis even if the patient is asymptomatic.

Based on a Patient's Medical History, a Doctor Suspects That