Li D, Huang X, Shi M, et al. - Given the lack of knowledge concerning the prevalence of neurosyphilis in West China and the confusion surrounding its diagnosis, researchers here studied the role of CSF_CXCL13 and syphilis serology to offer a more accurate reference for the clinical detection and diagnosis of neurosyphilis. They employed the laboratory characteristics of 244 patients and a retrospective data set to determine the prevalence of neurosyphilis. In addition, another 116 CSF_serum paired samples (data set II) were obtained from 44 neurosyphilis and 72 non-neurosyphilis/syphilis patients in order to examine the diagnostic value of CSF_CXCL13 and syphilis serology for neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis was identified in about 6.25% (156 out of 2494) syphilis. Findings suggest that the importance of syphilis serology cannot be ignored as there are no ideal biomarkers for neurosyphilis. CSF_CXCL13 can complement the sensitivity of serology in neurosyphilis, however, further investigation is recommended.