Is dark-field microscopy still useful for the primary syphilis diagnosis in the 21 century?

Introduction: Serological test for primary syphilis could be negative the first 5-15 days. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of including dark field microscopy (DFM) in the diagnosis algorythm for primary syphilis.

Materials/methods: Patients attended to a sexual transmission diseases clinic of Madrid, from 2015 to 2019, for a genital ulcer with clinical suspicion of primary syphilis.

Is dark-field microscopy still useful for the primary syphilis diagnosis in the 21 century?

Introduction: Serological test for primary syphilis could be negative the first 5-15 days. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of including dark field microscopy (DFM) in the diagnosis algorythm for primary syphilis.

Materials/methods: Patients attended to a sexual transmission diseases clinic of Madrid, from 2015 to 2019, for a genital ulcer with clinical suspicion of primary syphilis.