Table 3 The major features of the evaluated tests.
| Test | Design | Cassette mounted | Specimen utilised | Time to result (min) | Extra supplies* | Shelf life/storage temp | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood | Plasma | Serum | ||||||
| Determine Syphilis | Lateral flow | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5–20 | Yes | 24 months/2–30°C |
| Syphilis Fast | Latex agglutination | Not applicable | No | No | Yes | 8 | Yes | 18 months/reagents; 6 months after reconstitution |
| Espline TP | Lateral flow | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 15 | Yes | 9 months/2–10°C |
| Syphicheck‐WB | Lateral flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15 | No | 18 months/4–30°C |
| SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0 | Lateral flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5–20 | Yes | 18 months/room temp |
| Visitect Syphilis | Lateral flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15 | No | 24 months/4–30°C |
| Syphicheck‐WB (new version) | Lateral flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15 | No | 18 months/4–30°C |
| Bioline Syphilis 3.0 (new manufacturer) | Lateral flow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5–20 | No | Unknown/4–30°C |
| Syphilisonsite Rapid Screening Test | Lateral flow | No | No | Yes | Yes | 5–10 | No | Unknown/4–30°C |
*In all cases, where additional equipment was required it consisted of handheld micropipettes and micropipette tips.