Syphilis question

[JulianRodriguez]

Hello,

I went to the clinic to donate blood for a relative on January. After 10 days I went back and the clinic told me they couldn't accept my blood because I tested positive for Syphilis on their tests. This was a surprise because on September 2022 I had an RPR Syphilis test and it was Not Reactive.

That same day I received the news (January 23, 2023) I went to a lab and did an RPR test of Syphilis and was Not Reactive too.

I don't have multiple sexual partners, I didn't have any symptoms that appear from Syphilis and from end of November to January I didn't have any sexual contact.

-Could it be possible that I had that disease many years ago and that it cured but still appears in my blood?
-Do I need to take another kind of test because I could infect someone?

Thank you so much.

[grobick2000]

Greetings
First of all, there are two types of tests, treponemal and non-treponemal. RPR is a non-treponemal test and it can only catch an active infection. If your RPR is negative (non-reactive), most probably you don't have syphilis right now.
Blood banks usually use treponemal tests like EIA or TPPA. Those are more sensitive and react to antibodies for the germ which causes syphilis. If you have ever had syphilis at some moment in your life, your treponemal test (for the majority of cases) stays positive for life. That might be the case with you. Or it may be a false positive with blood bank screening test, or a lab mistake.
I suggest you redo your RPR with a treponemal test (any would do). The results may be tricky to interpret but you can post them here and get help.
Wish you health and good luck.

[JulianRodriguez]

Hello, thanks for your answer. I did actually another RPR 2 days ago and it was Non reactive. The blood bank did a CLIA (treponemal test) after getting Reactive in Elisa test for syphilis. The result was Reactive too. This is my fourth RPR (May 22, September 22, January 23 and February 23). All RPR were Non reactive. Maybe I had syphilis but I've never got symptoms in my life or took a specific treatment for that. I'm just worried I could pass it to someone. Thanks again for your answer.

[grobick2000]

First and foremost, stop getting tested. With your RPR tests results and absence of symptoms it is clear you don't have syphilis and can't pass it to anyone.
There are quite a few possible explanations for the positive treponemal tests: some infections may lead to false positives.

[JulianRodriguez]

Thank you! I just didn't want to put anyone at risk. I will stop with the RPRs. And thanks for the quick answer, I really appreciate it.

[Gazsmithster]

"Not Reactive" means you do not have syphilis. I would go to the doctor and get another test done. It is possible the donation place got a false positive.

If you had syphilis which has been cured, then the antibodies will still show up in tests

[JulianRodriguez]

Thanks for your answer. The Reactive results were Elisa and CLIA (treponemal tests done on January 2023) while the RPR (Non treponemal tests) were from May 2022, September 2022 and January 2023 (all Non Reactive). My main worry is if I still have it (active) and it's contagious. Thanks again!

[Gazsmithster]

A negative RPR means you do not have a current infection which you can pass on. The treponemal test means may have had it in the past OR a false positive.

I would get another full test done in case it was a false positive and go from there.

[JulianRodriguez]

Thanks! I did another RPR and it was Non Reactive too.