Cost-effectiveness in the Detection of Syphilis

Evaluation of enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot testing for the diagnosis of syphilis in Alberta.

A new protocol for testing and diagnosing syphilis has been proposed in Alberta. The protocol proposes replacing rapid plasma reagin (RPR) with enzyme immunoassay (EIA) as the standard initial test and replacing Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) particle agglutination assay (TPPA) and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (FTA-Abs) with Inno-Lia (IL) as the standard confirmatory test. The primary aim of this report is to provide a cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) of the proposed protocol (EIA+IL). Information regarding Social and System Demographics and Technology Effects and Effectiveness is also provided.