Abstract: Objective To explore the significance of RPR test and Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISA in following-up of early syphilis.Methods Sixty-one cases of primary syphilis with less than one-year course and 77 cases of secondary syphilis were enr olled into the study.The patients were followed up by RPR test and Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISAat intervals of three months for two years after treatment.Results By the end of 3,6,9,12,15,18,21 and 24 months,RPR test became negative in 6.2%,31.5%,61.5%,83.8%,90.7%,92.3%,94.6%,and 95.3% of patients,respectively.By the end of 3,6,9,12and 15months,Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISA became negative in 25.4%,56.5%,86.2%,97.1% and 100.0% of patients,respectiv ely.In primary syphilis the RPR test became nonreactive in 8.2%(3months after treatment),31.1%(6months),57.4%(9months),75.4%(12months),83.6%(15months),85.2%(18months),and 100.0%(21months)of patients,and Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISA in 45.9%(3months),85.2%(6months),98.4%(9months),100.0%(12months)of patients.In secondary syphilis RPRtest became n onreactive in 2.6%(3months after treatment), 28.6%(6months), 58.4%(9months), 81.8%(12months), 84.4%(15months), 88.3%(18months), 90.9%(21months) and 92.2%(24months)of patients,and Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISAin 9.1%(3months), 33.8%(6months), 71.4%(9months), 94.8%(12months) and 100.0%(15months)of patients.Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISA was found to be negative earlier than that of RPR test in all cases.No sero-resistant was shown in Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISA.Conclusions Tp-IgM turns to negative in 12months after treatment for nearly all patients with early syphilis.Tp-IgM-Capture-ELISA may be served as a useful tool to follow up early syphilis patients after treatment.

Key words: Syphilis, Reagins, IgM, Treponema pallidum, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay