Diagnostic performance of PCR assays for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis: a systematic review.

The sensitivity of PCR was low compared with CSF-serological assays but the challenges of evaluating a diagnostic test in the absence of a clear gold standard make definitive interpretation challenging. Most studies were small and not adequately powered highlighting the need for multicentre, multicountry trials to provide adequate statistical power in evaluations of new tests the diagnosis of neurosyphilis.