Providers and Professionals

Resources

• Accessing Records and Reporting in Alabama for Congenital Syphilis
• Prenatal Care Provider Package for Preventing Congenital Syphilis
• Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021

Provider Update: Increasing Early Syphilis Cases in Alabama – Syphilis Laboratory Tests

ADPH is alerting providers across the state to the continuing increase in congenital and adult syphilis in Alabama.

To diagnose syphilis, laboratory testing must include both treponemal and non-treponemal tests. Unless otherwise indicated by the provider, the testing order (treponemal or non-treponemal first) varies between labs; therefore, results need careful analysis to differentiate between present and past syphilis. It is important that providers understand their syphilis screening algorithm.

Below is a link to the reverse testing algorithms with an interpretation of these serologic diagnostic test results for healthcare providers to combat the rising syphilis epidemic in Alabama.

• Syphilis Testing Algorithms and Interpretation of Syphilis Test Results

Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021

CDC has released Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. This document provides current evidence-based diagnostic, management, and treatment recommendations, and serves as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The new guidelines include notable updates from the previous 2015 guidance, including:

• Updated treatment recommendations for chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Updated treatment recommendations for uncomplicated gonorrhea in neonates, children, and other specific clinical situations (e.g., proctitis, epididymitis, sexual assault), which builds on broader treatment changes published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report late last year.
• Information on FDA-cleared diagnostic tests for Mycoplasma genitalium and rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Expanded risk factors for syphilis testing among pregnant patients.
• Recommended two-step serologic testing for diagnosing genital herpes simplex virus.
• Harmonized recommendations for human papillomavirus vaccination with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
• Recommended universal hepatitis C testing in alignment with CDC's 2020 hepatitis C testing recommendations.

STIs are common and costly to the nation's health and economy. With 26 million new STIs occurring each year, totaling nearly $16 billion in medical costs, evidence-based prevention, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations are critical to halting continued increases.