Syphilis by PCR (Chancre)
Private Syphilis PCR testing in London for £195, detecting Treponema pallidum directly from a suitable lesion sample with results in around 5 days.
Turnaround time
5 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Syphilis by PCR Test
The Syphilis by PCR test detects Treponema pallidum DNA directly from a suitable symptomatic lesion, providing molecular evidence of syphilis infection.
The test assesses 1 specialist molecular marker: Syphilis by PCR (chancre).
Treponema pallidum is the bacterium responsible for syphilis.
During primary syphilis, infection can produce a characteristic ulcer known as a chancre.
The lesion is often painless and may occur on the genital, anal or oral area depending on the site of exposure.
PCR differs fundamentally from syphilis antibody testing.
Serology looks for the immune response to Treponema pallidum in the blood.
PCR instead attempts to identify bacterial genetic material directly from the lesion.
This can be particularly useful during very early primary infection, when a chancre is present but antibodies may not yet have become detectable.
The specimen must be taken from an appropriate active lesion.
PCR is therefore not suitable when there is no accessible symptomatic lesion to sample.
A negative result does not completely exclude syphilis because specimen quality, stage of the lesion and bacterial concentration can influence detection.
Blood serology remains important even where lesion PCR is performed.
Syphilis IgG/IgM, TPPA and RPR can provide complementary information regarding antibody response, confirmation and disease activity.
A positive PCR result provides direct molecular evidence of Treponema pallidum within the sampled lesion and requires appropriate treatment and sexual-health follow-up.
What Does the Syphilis by PCR Test Check?
The test detects Treponema pallidum DNA directly from an appropriate chancre or symptomatic lesion sample. This test measures 1 specialist biomarker.
Syphilis by PCR (chancre)
Detects Treponema pallidum DNA directly from a suitable syphilitic lesion, supporting early diagnosis when a chancre is present.
Who May Benefit From the Syphilis by PCR Test?
Syphilis PCR is principally useful where a suspicious active lesion is present and can be sampled directly.
People with a new painless genital ulcer - A chancre can be the first sign of primary syphilis.
People with an anal or oral lesion following relevant sexual exposure - Syphilis lesions can occur at different sites of inoculation.
People with a suspected chancre before antibody tests become positive - Direct PCR can provide useful information during very early infection.
People with a recent exposure and an active compatible lesion - Molecular testing can complement serology.
People whose early syphilis blood test is negative despite a highly suspicious lesion - Antibodies may not yet have developed.
People with a partner recently diagnosed with syphilis - Direct lesion testing may be appropriate if symptoms appear.
People requiring confirmation of Treponema pallidum in an active lesion - PCR identifies bacterial genetic material rather than the immune response.
People advised to undergo lesion PCR by a sexual-health clinician - Appropriate specimen selection is essential.
How to Prepare
Do not deliberately irritate, scrape or manipulate the lesion before collection.
The sample should be taken from an appropriate active lesion by a healthcare professional following the laboratory collection protocol.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Syphilis by PCR Test
PCR testing is specifically relevant when an accessible lesion compatible with early syphilis is present.
A painless genital ulcer - Primary syphilis classically causes a firm, painless chancre.
An anal ulcer following sexual exposure - Syphilis lesions can occur around the anus or rectal area.
An oral ulcer following relevant exposure - Oral chancres are possible.
A new lesion accompanied by swollen lymph nodes - Regional lymphadenopathy can occur with primary syphilis.
A suspicious lesion with negative early antibody testing - Molecular detection can be useful before seroconversion.
A partner with confirmed syphilis - A new compatible lesion should be assessed promptly.
A recent high-risk sexual exposure - Direct testing can be considered where an active lesion develops.
Syphilis PCR requires a suitable active lesion.
Where no lesion is present, blood serology is generally more appropriate.
Do not delay sexual-health assessment or treatment where syphilis is strongly suspected because early treatment reduces the risk of progression and transmission.
How to Book Your Syphilis by PCR Test
The Syphilis by PCR test can be booked privately for direct molecular testing of a suitable symptomatic lesion.
Choose the Syphilis by PCR
Select the individual Syphilis PCR lesion test online.
Select your sample collection option
Arrange professional collection from the symptomatic lesion at an appropriate clinical appointment.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required PCR specimen directly from the chancre or suitable lesion.
Laboratory analysis
Your specimen undergoes molecular testing for Syphilis by PCR (chancre).
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted alongside blood serology and clinical findings.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The specialist laboratory turnaround for Syphilis by PCR is approximately 5 days after laboratory receipt.
The specimen undergoes nucleic-acid extraction, molecular amplification, laboratory quality-control procedures and result authorisation.
Turnaround begins when a suitable PCR specimen reaches the laboratory rather than necessarily from the exact time it is collected.
Blood serology may be performed separately where additional confirmation or disease-activity information is required.
Understanding Your Results
A positive result means Treponema pallidum DNA has been detected within the sampled lesion.
This provides direct molecular evidence of syphilis infection and requires appropriate clinical treatment and sexual-health follow-up.
A negative result means Treponema pallidum DNA was not detected above the assay threshold in that specimen.
A negative result does not completely exclude syphilis.
The quantity of bacteria within a lesion can change over time, and specimen collection quality is important.
Syphilis blood serology should therefore be considered alongside PCR.
Where exposure is recent, an initially negative antibody test can later become reactive as the immune response develops.
If clinical suspicion remains high, repeat serology or specialist sexual-health assessment may still be appropriate.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private molecular testing for direct detection of Treponema pallidum from suitable symptomatic lesions.
Detects Treponema pallidum DNA directly - PCR identifies bacterial genetic material rather than relying on antibody development.
Useful during early primary syphilis - PCR can be particularly valuable while a chancre is present.
Can complement negative early serology - Antibodies may not yet be detectable shortly after infection.
Site-specific professional collection - The specimen is collected directly from an appropriate lesion.
Can complement TPPA and RPR - Blood serology provides additional information about immune response and disease activity.
Specialist molecular analysis - Samples undergo dedicated PCR processing.
Confidential testing - Collection and reporting are handled privately.
Clear pricing - The Syphilis by PCR test costs £195.
Private Syphilis by PCR Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Syphilis PCR testing for people with a suitable active lesion requiring direct molecular investigation.
The test costs £195 and assesses 1 specialist marker.
Results are expected approximately 5 days after laboratory receipt.
The test requires an appropriate chancre or symptomatic lesion and should usually be interpreted alongside syphilis blood serology.