CPHLN supports the following Issue groups:
- LPR - Laboratory Preparedness and Response
- WFSE - Water / Food Safety and Enterics
- Laboratory Standardization
- RCA - Reference Center Advisory
CPHLN also support the following task groups:
Syphilis Task Group
This Task Group reports to the Laboratory Standardization Issue Group.
2009-2010 Co-Chairs
Federal - Raymond Tsang (PHAC/NML)
Provincial - Muhammed Morshed (British Columbia)
Background
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) whose infection rate had been on the decline until 1997. Since 1997 the rate of syphilis in Canada has been steadily increasing; by 2001 the infection rate was more than double that of 1997.
Diagnosis of Syphilis is more complicated than other diseases as it requires more laboratory input and clinical judgment.
This factor combined with the significant increase in infections over the last decade led CPHLN members to form the Syphilis Task Group in 2008. The Syphilis Task Group is working diligently to develop straight forward algorithms that can be used to develop accurate and comparable data.
Mission
The purpose of the Syphilis task group is to develop guidelines for Syphilis testing in Canada.
2009-2010 Priorities
The Syphilis Task Group identified the development of Syphilis Diagnostic Guidelines as their priority to address during the 2009-2010 cycle.
