抗细胞膜DNA抗体检测方法的建立及对系统性红斑狼疮诊断价值的临床应用研究

目的 应用间接免疫荧光法(IIF)检测抗细胞膜DNA(cmDNA)抗体,探讨抗cmDNA抗体对系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)的诊断价值.比较以人B淋巴细胞株Raji、人早幼粒白血病细胞株HL60为底物,抗cmDNA抗体在SLE中的检测效果.方法 选取306例SLE患者,192例非SLE疾病对照组,包括脊柱关节病(SPA) 52例,类风湿关节炎(RA) 70例,原发干燥综合征(pSS) 30例,其他结缔组织病(CTD)40例.50名健康志愿者作为对照组.采用IIF法观察培养的人B淋巴细胞株Raji、人早幼粒白血病细胞株HL60的细胞膜的荧光图形;用IIF法检测抗核抗体、抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体;联合应用免疫双扩散法和蛋白印迹法检测抗Sm抗体,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法测定抗核小体抗体(AnuA).配对资料比较用McNemarX2检验,相关性分析采用Spearman相关及Logistic回归分析.结果以Raji及HL60 2种细胞株为底物检测SLE患者抗cmDNA抗体,敏感性分别为72.5％、76.1％,特异性分别为91.7％、86.8％,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).抗cmDNA抗体的敏感性明显高于抗Sm抗体及抗dsDNA抗体,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);特异性与抗dsDNA抗体相似(P＞0.05),日低于抗Sm抗体及AnuA(P＜0.01).抗cmDNA抗体分别与抗dsDNA抗体、抗Sm抗体及AnuA联合检测在SLE诊断中的敏感性均明显高于上述自身抗体单独检测,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).抗cmDNA抗体与SLE患者的黏膜溃疡之间有相关性(OR=2.343,P=0.029).抗cmDNA抗体与红细胞沉降率(ESR)有相关性(OR=1.031,P=0.012).抗cmDNA抗体与SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分无相关性(r=0.070,P=0.600).本文研究还证实Raji细胞株较HL60细胞株更易复苏、荧光图形亮度更强,表达效果更好.结论 抗cmDNA抗体对SLE诊断的敏感性高,特异性强,可能成为SLE诊断的相对特异性抗体之一.抗cmDNA抗体与抗dsDNA抗体、抗Sm抗体及AnuA联合检测可提高对SLE诊断的敏感性.选择Raji细胞株为底物检测抗cmDNA抗体较HL60细胞株更有优势.     

抗核小体抗体测定在系统性红斑狼疮诊断中的意义

目的　评价抗核小体抗体 (AnuA)对系统性红斑狼疮 (SLE)诊断的敏感性和特异性 ,并了解其与SLE活动性的关系及与其他自身抗体的关系。方法　用酶联免疫吸附 (ELISA)测定方法检测SLE患者、疾病对照组 (包括原发性干燥综合征、多发性肌炎、皮肌炎、系统性硬化症 )和正常对照组血清中的AnuA ,并记录SLE患者的各种临床表现及实验室指标 ,分析其与AnuA的关系。结果　 10 3例SLE患者中 6 9 9%血清AnuA阳性 ,6 6例疾病对照组仅 3 0 %阳性 ,30名正常对照组全部阴性 ;SLE组患者AnuA阳性率显著高于疾病对照组和正常对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,AnuA在SLE中检测的敏感性和特异性分别为 6 9 9%和 97 9%。AnuA阳性组的SLE患者肾损害、皮肤损害的发生率(6 1 1%、70 8% )明显高于AnuA阴性组 (2 9 0 %、32 3% ) (P <0 0 5 ) ;AnuA阳性组与AnuA阴性组相比 ,在年龄、性别、病程上差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。AnuA滴度的高低与SLE患者的SLEDAI评分有明显相关性 (r=0 2 82 ,P <0 0 5 )。抗dsDNA抗体、抗Sm抗体、快速狼疮因子 (DNP)、抗组蛋白抗体 (AHA)阴性的SLE患者AnuA的阳性率分别为 6 5 6 %、6 8 0 %、6 3 9%、6 4 1%。结论　AnuA对SLE诊断的敏感性高、特异性强 ;它与SLE疾病活动性密切相关 ,对抗dsDNA抗体、Sm、DNP及AHA     

抗细胞膜DNA抗体的测定及其在系统性红斑狼疮诊断中的意义

目的建立抗细胞膜DNA(mDNA)抗体测定的方法,研究其在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)诊断中的敏感性和特异性,以及与SLE临床特点及免疫学异常的关系.方法检测SLE患者、疾病对照组和正常对照组血清中的抗mDNA抗体,并分析SLE患者的各种临床表现及实验室指标与抗mDNA抗体的关系.同时研究细胞膜DNA分子在不同细胞表面的表达,用DNA酶、RNA酶及胰酶鉴定抗原性质.结果抗mDNA抗体在SLE中检测敏感性73.3%(152/207),特异性96.4%,疾病对照组阳性率5.4%(9/167),82名正常对照组均为阴性,抗mDNA抗体阳性率在SLE组明显高于疾病对照组和正常对照组(P＜0.01).抗mDNA抗体在其他自身抗体阴性的SLE患者中有较高的检出率,在抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体、抗Sm抗体、快速狼疮因子(DNP)、抗组蛋白抗体(AHA)、抗核小体抗体(AnuA)阴性的SLE患者中抗mDNA抗体的阳性率分别是73.8%、62.7%、65.3%、57.8%和51.6%.该抗体阳性组SLE患者皮疹,脱发,关节痛,白细胞和C3、C4减低及IgG、IgA、IgM升高较为常见,但与SLE患者病情活动指数无关.本文还证实细胞膜DNA在人B细胞、T细胞上均有表达,以Raji细胞株表达较好.用DNA酶预处理的细胞涂片再行检测后膜荧光图形消失,而用RNA酶、胰酶预处理后并不消失,证实其为膜DNA抗原.结论抗mDNA抗体是一种诊断敏感性高、特异性强的SLE血清学指标之一,尤其对抗dsDNA、抗Sm、抗DNP、AHA、AnuA阴性的SLE的诊断有参考意义.     

儿童系统性红斑狼疮患者血清抗核小体抗体检测

目的探讨抗核小体抗体(anti-nucleosome antibodies,AnuA)对儿童系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)诊断的意义,并与成人SLE进行比较。方法选取87例儿童SLE患者,30例非SLE儿童疾病对照组(包括幼年类风湿关节炎、脊柱关节病、皮肌炎、干燥综合征和血管炎),122例成人SLE和55例其他结缔组织病患者,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血清AnuA。结果 87例儿童SLE中67例AnuA阳性,30例儿童疾病对照组中2例AnuA阳性,AnuA对儿童SLE诊断的敏感性和特异性分别为77.01%和93.33%,ROC曲线下面积为0.852;阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为97.10%和58.33%。AnuA对成人SLE患者诊断的敏感度和特异度分别为68.85%和90.91%。AnuA对儿童SLE诊断的敏感度高于成人SLE,对儿童SLE诊断的特异度与成人比较无明显差异(P0.05)。在抗dsDNA抗体和抗Sm抗体阴性的儿童SLE患者中AnuA的阳性率分别为56.52%(26/46)和76.71%(56/73)。结论 AnuA对儿童SLE的诊断具有较高的敏感度和特异度,有助于抗dsDNA抗体和抗Sm抗体阴性儿童SLE的诊断。     

抗核小体抗体对儿童系统性红斑狼疮诊断价值及与疾病活动度的相关性研究

目的 评价抗核小体抗体(AnuA)单独及与抗核抗体、抗Sm抗体和抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体联合检测对儿童系统性红斑狼疮(JSLE)的诊断价值,探讨AnuA与临床特点的相关性.方法 选取80例JSLE患者,56例非SLE的儿童疾病对照组,包括结缔组织病、白塞病、脊柱关节病、类风湿关节炎、皮肌炎、硬皮病,并留血清待检.采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清AnuA,间接免疫荧光法检测抗核抗体;联合ELISA法和间接免疫荧光法检测抗dsDNA抗体,其中任一种检测方法结果阳性即判为阳性;免疫印迹法检测抗Sm抗体,并记录JSLE患者的临床特点.收集同期临床资料及相关实验室检查结果,进行SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分,分析JSLE患者AnuA抗体与上述指标的相关性.结果 AnuA对JSLE诊断的敏感度为76.25％,特异度为98.21％.AnuA与抗dsDNA抗体及抗Sm抗体联合检测的敏感度分别为83.05％、86.44％,特异度96.43％、98.21％,敏感度明显高于二者单项检测的敏感度,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).AnuA与红细胞、血红蛋白呈负相关(r值分别为-0.499、-0.503,P值分别为0.000、0.000),与红细胞沉降率(ESR)、血尿、低补体、抗dsDNA抗体呈正相关(r值分别为0.388、0.227、0.303、0.531,P值分别为0.000、0.042、0.006、0.000),与SLEDAI评分呈正相关(r=0.303,P=0.000).结论 AunA对JSLE的诊断具有较高的敏感度和特异度,与抗dsDNA抗体和抗Sm抗体联合检测可以提高诊断的敏感度.AunA不仅可以作为JSLE的诊断指标,还可以评估疾病活动性,具有较高的临床应用价值.     

自身抗体联合检测在系统性红斑狼疮诊断中的意义

目的研究抗细胞膜DNA(cmDNA)抗体、抗核小体抗体(AnuA)、抗脱氧核糖核蛋白(DNP)抗体及抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体等特异性抗体在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)诊断中的意义,并与抗核抗体(ANA)的敏感性和特异性进行比较。了解特异性自身抗体联合检测在SLE的诊断及临床应用中的意义。方法测定了125例SLE及118例疾病对照组(包括原发性干燥综合征、多发肌炎、系统性硬化症、未分化结缔组织病、类风湿关节炎、骨关节炎、强直性脊柱炎及银屑病关节炎)患者血清中的自身抗体。利用间接免疫荧光法测定抗cmDNA抗体和ANA,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定AnuA、乳凝法检测抗DNP抗体、金标法测定抗dsDNA抗体。结果AnuA、抗cmDNA抗体、抗DNP抗体、抗dsDNA抗体和ANA在SLE患者中的阳性率分别为68%、38.4%、51.2%、49.6%和95.2%,均明显高于疾病对照组(3.4%、4.2%、1.7%、0.8%和25.4%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。ANA与AnuA的敏感性显著高于其他三种抗体,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);AnuA、抗cmDNA抗体、抗DNP抗体、抗dsDNA抗体和ANA的特异性分别为95.8%、96.6%、98.3%、99.2%和74.6%;AnuA在抗DNP抗体、抗dsDNA抗体阴性的SLE中的阳性率明显高于其他抗体(P<0.05);自身抗体的联合检测可提高SLE诊断的敏感性,但特异性无明显改变。结论抗cmDNA抗     

抗核小体抗体诊断系统性红斑狼疮的价值

280份血清,取自健康体检者50例，类风湿关节炎（RA）74例，系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）106例．其他结缔组织病50例．分别检测其抗核抗体（ANA），抗双链DNA（dsDNA），抗史密斯（Sm），抗组蛋白（His）及抗核小体抗体（AnuA）抗体。结果5种抗体诊断SLE的敏感性和特异性为；ANA96．2%、31％，AnuA80．1％、93％，dsDNA56．6%、92％，Sm49．7％、90％，His54．7％、85%。ANA、AnuA敏感性明显高于其他3种抗体（P〈0．001）．AnuA、dsDNA、HiS、Sm的特异性明显高于ANA（P〈0．001）。AnuA是SLE的又一种特异性抗体，其与ANA、dsDNA抗体及Sm抗体、His抗体联合检测对SLE的诊断有重要意义。     

系统性红斑狼疮血清抗核小体抗体水平及意义的探讨

目的 研究抗核小体抗体(AnuA)在系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus，SLE)患者血清中的水平及其相关影响因素，探讨AnuA在SLE诊治中的作用和意义。方法 采用酶联免疫吸附法(EUSA)测定120例初诊SLE患者、55例其他风湿性疾病和30名健康对照血清中AnuA水平。同时记录各种临床表现，检测并分析其治疗前的其他自身抗体和实验室指标。结果 自身抗体在SLE及其他风湿病对照组的阳性率分别为AnuA56％和7％，抗dsDNA抗体35％和1％，抗Sm抗体24％和0。AnuA与SLE患者性别、年龄、病程无相关性，对sLE的诊断敏感性和特异性分别为55．8％、9513％，对狼疮肾炎(1upus nephritis，LN)的诊断敏感性和特异性分别为77．％、64．5%。AnuA与肝脏损害和疾病活动呈线性相关(t=3．152，2．171，P＜O．05)。AnuA分别与抗dsDNA、抗Sm联合检测对SLE诊断敏感性提高27％、40％（X^2值分别为38．930、18．161，P＜O．01)。结论AnuA在SLE血清中水平显著增高，AnuA测定是SLE诊断和治疗监测中有价值的新的实验室检测指标之一，与抗dsDNA抗体联合检测可提高诊断SLE、LN的敏感性和特异性。     

抗细胞膜DNA抗体对系统性红斑狼疮的诊断价值及与其他抗体联合检测的意义

目的 探讨抗细胞膜DNA(mDNA)抗体在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者的表达以及该特异性抗体对SLE患者的诊断价值及与其他抗体联合检测的意义.方法 用间接免疫荧光法观察培养的HL60细胞的特异性细胞膜的荧光图形,以细胞周连续的环状荧光为抗mDNA抗体阳性.同时检测SLE的其他常见抗体,采用pearsonχ~2检验进行统计学处理.结果 抗mDNA抗体在205例SLE患者中有145例阳性,阳性率70.7%,在55例类风湿关节炎(RA)患者中5例阳性,阳性率为9.1%,45例原发性干燥综合征(pSS)患者中10例阳性,阳性率为22.2%,35例皮肌炎/多肌炎(PM/DM)患者中4例阳性,阳性率14.3%,50名健康对照组中均为阴性.抗mDNA抗体对SLE诊断的敏感性为70.7%,特异性为86.7%.抗mDNA抗体阳性+抗核抗体(ANA)阳性联合检测的敏感性94.6%,特异性76.7%;抗mDNA抗体阳性+抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体阳性联合检测的敏感性76.8%,特异性95.5%;抗mDNA抗体阳性+抗Sm抗体阳性联合检测的敏感性79.6%,特异性100%;抗mDNA抗体阳性+抗核小体抗体(AnuA)阳性联合检测的敏感性93.0%,特异性100%.结论 抗mDNA抗体是一种诊断SLE的新的标记抗体,其敏感性较高,特异性强,较抗dsDNA抗体、抗Sm抗体检测更先进.与SLE常用其他抗体联合检测可进一步提高敏感性和特异性.     

抗血小板生成素抗体与系统性红斑狼疮伴血小板减少的相关性研究

目的 分析抗血小板生成素(TPO)抗体在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)中的作用,并探讨其与SLE伴血小板减少及病情的相关性.方法 应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测56例SLE患者中的抗TPO抗体,并与20例免疫性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)及20名健康人对照.同时分析SLE患者临床特点.正态分布的计数资料采用x2检验或Fisher精确检验,计量资料采用t检验,非正态分布采用M(Q)表示及Wilcoxon's rank检验.结果 抗TPO抗体在SLE组中阳性率为39％,35％的免疫性血小板减少患者抗TPO抗体阳性,而健康对照中未能检测到抗TPO抗体(x2=11.058,P=0.001).26例伴发血小板减少的SLE患者中,15例(58％)抗TPO抗体阳性,而30例无血小板减少患者中仅有7例(23％,x2=6.894,P=0.009);进一步分析发现抗TPO体抗体阳性患者其血小板下降程度重(t=3.010,P=0.004).对照抗TPO抗体阳性与阴性患者的临床资料显示,关节炎(x2=5.959,P=0.015)、抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体阳性(x2=5.959,P=0.015)的SLE患者更易产生抗TPO抗体.结论 在伴发血小板减少的SLE患者中检测出较高阳性率的抗TPO抗体表明该抗体可能在SLE发生血小板减少的过程中起重要作用.在伴发血小板减少的SLE患者中检测该抗体具有一定的临床价值.     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.