How does darkfield microscopy detect syphilis?

DARKFIELD MICROSCOPY FOR THE DETECTION. AND IDENTIFICATION OF TREPONEMA PALLIDUM. TEST PRINCIPLES1,2. A clinical diagnosis of syphilis is confirmed by using darkfield microscopy to demonstrate. Treponema pallidum in material from suspected lesions or regional lymph nodes. read more

In 1906 in Vienna, Karl Landsteiner and Viktor Mucha were the first to use dark field microscopy, to visualize T. Palladium the causative agent of infectious syphilis. Since then, it has been a vital instrument in the diagnosis of early and some forms of secondary syphilis and congenital syphilis as well. read more

In primary syphilis, the chancre teems with treponemes that can be seen with darkfield microscopy. The sensitivity of darkfield microscopy for the diagnosis of primary syphilis is approximately 80%. Darkfield sensitivity declines over time and can also decrease if the patient has applied topical antibiotics to the lesion(s). read more