Treponema pallidum There are several methods to diagnose<unk> . One of the most common ways include visualizing the organisms by immunofluorescence and dark field microscopy. Dark field microscopy initially had the finding that the spirochete has a corkscrew appearance and that it is spirillar and gram (-) bacteria. Another method would also be through the screening test and serology. Serology includes two types of antibody test: Nontreponemal antibody test and Treponemal antibody test (specific test). The Nontreponemal antibody test screens with VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Lab) and RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin). The Treponemal antibody test (specific test) confirms with FTA-ABS (Fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption). Brain imaging and MRI scans may be used when diagnosing patients; however, they do not prove to be as effective as specific tests. Specific tests for treponemal antibody are typically more expensive because the earliest antibodies bind to spirochetes. These tests are usually more specific and remain positive in patients with other treponemal diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings * Pressure may be normal or raised * Fluid is clear * Protein is elevated (100–200 mg%) * Sugar is normal * Cell count is elevated and is lymphocytic * Gamma globulin levels are elevated * VDRL and TPHA (Treponema pallidum haemagglutination) are positive
Meningeal syphilis
Amoebic brain abscess
Cysticercosis
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Oropouche fever
Mumps
Neurosyphilis
Neurocysticercosis