Protocol - Syphilis - Assay

The following is a summary version of the full National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2008 protocol.

Exclusion Criteria

Persons will be excluded from this component if they:

• report that they have hemophilia, or

• report that they have received cancer chemotherapy in the last 4 weeks.

SP = Sample Person

1. Do you have hemophilia?

[ ] 1 Yes

[ ] 2 No

[ ] 7 Refused

[ ] 9 Don't Know

If the SP answers "Yes," the SP is excluded from the blood draw.

If the SP answers "No" or "Don't Know," blood is drawn from the SP.

2. Have you received cancer chemotherapy in the past 4 weeks, or do you anticipate such therapy in the next 4 weeks?

[ ] 1 Yes

[ ] 2 No

[ ] 7 Refused

[ ] 9 Don't Know

If the SP answers "Yes," the SP is excluded from the blood draw.

If the SP answers "No" or "Don't Know," blood is drawn from the SP.

Note from the Infectious Diseases and Immunity Working Group (WG): The investigator should record the reason a person is excluded from the blood draw.

Venipuncture Procedures

Editor's Note: Please review chapter 4 of the Laboratory Procedures Manual from the NHANES for a full description of phlebotomy procedures: 2007-2008 NHANES Lab Manual.

Venipuncture should generally be performed using the median cubital, cephalic, or basilica veins in the left arm unless this arm is unsuitable. If the veins in the left arm are unsuitable, look for suitable veins on the right arm. If the veins in the antecubital space on both arms are not suitable, then look for veins in the forearm or dorsal side of the hand on the left arm/hand and then right arm/hand.

Recording the Results of the Venipuncture Procedure

Immediately after completing the venipuncture, record the results of the blood draw, the reasons for a tube not being drawn according to the protocol, and any comments about the venipuncture.

Note from the Infectious Diseases and Immunity WG: The Infectious Diseases and Immunity WG recommends that the investigator record whether the blood was drawn and whether the full amount was obtained.

Process the Sample for the Serum

Editor's Note: Please review chapter 8 of the Laboratory Procedures Manual from the NHANES 2007–2008 for a full description of blood processing procedures: 2007-2008 NHANES Lab Manual.

• Allow the blood to clot by setting aside for 30–45 minutes at room temperature. Do not clot for more than 1 hour.

• Centrifuge the tube at room temperature to separate the serum and aliquot into an appropriate storage tube.

• Determine if the serum is hemolyzed, turbid, lipemic, or icteric. If so, enter a comment to describe the plasma.

Laboratory Assay for Syphilis

The Infectious Diseases and Immunity WG notes that although there is not a standardized assay, there are a number of different kits that are appropriate to measure syphilis. Once an assay is chosen for a particular study, the WG recommends that consistent methods are followed so that assay results will be comparable.

To aid in comparability, the Infectious Diseases and Immunity WG recommends that the investigator record the make and manufacturer of equipment used and the repeatability and coefficients of variation for the assay.