Which of the following is an important detection technique for syphilis ?

Options

A. Gram stainig of the discharge
B. Nucleic acid hybridisation, PCR
C. Antibody detection e.g., VDRL
D. Microscopic examination of culture

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Syphilis**:
- Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Treponema pallidum*. It is primarily transmitted through sexual contact.

2. **Identifying Detection Techniques**:
- The question provides several detection techniques for syphilis:
- Gram staining of the discharge
- Nucleic acid hybridization PCR
- Antibody detection (VDRL)
- Microscopic examination of culture

3. **Evaluating Each Technique**:
- **Gram Staining**: This technique is used to classify bacteria as gram-positive or gram-negative. However, it is not specific enough for detecting *Treponema pallidum*, so it is not a suitable method for syphilis detection.
- **Nucleic Acid Hybridization PCR**: While PCR is a powerful technique for detecting DNA, it is not the primary method used for diagnosing syphilis.
- **Antibody Detection (VDRL)**: This is a specific test used to detect antibodies produced in response to *Treponema pallidum* infection. VDRL stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, and it is a widely used screening test for syphilis.
- **Microscopic Examination of Culture**: This method is not commonly used for syphilis diagnosis, as *Treponema pallidum* is difficult to culture.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The most important detection technique for syphilis among the options provided is **antibody detection (VDRL)**.

**Final Answer**: Antibody detection (VDRL)

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