What is a positive FTA?
A positive FTA-ABS is often a sign of a syphilis infection. This test result will remain positive for life even if syphilis has been adequately treated. Therefore, it cannot be used to monitor the treatment of syphilis or determine that you have active syphilis.
What is RPR FTA?
The FTA-ABS test is often performed after other tests that screen for syphilis, such as the rapid plasma regain (RPR) and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) tests. It’s usually done if these initial screening tests come back positive for syphilis.
What is Tpha test for syphilis?
Treponema pallidum hemagglutination commonly known as TPHA is diagnostic test used to detect the dissolved amount of antibodies in the serum sample of a patient against the causative agents of syphilis. To be precise the TPHA test helps in the detection of Palladium antibodies via the hemagglutination method.
What is a low titer for syphilis?
Following successful treatment, the RPR declines over time and may become nonreactive. However, the RPR may remain reactive at a low titer (generally <1:8), a condition referred to as the serofast state.
What would cause a false-positive RPR?
Historically, false-reactive RPR test results have been observed in people with systemic infections unrelated to syphilis, such as tuberculosis, rickettsial diseases, and endocarditis. False-reactive RPR testing also has been previously observed following immunization (specifically following smallpox vaccine).
What does RPR titer of 1/4 mean?
Syphilis Re-infection An increase in titer of two dilutions represents re-infection with Treponema pallidum. For example, a titer increase from 1:1 to 1:4 would indicate a re-infection.
What is a good RPR titer?
In order for it to be adequate the levels must change by at least 2 dilutions….so 1:16 would have to drop at least below 1:4 to show a good response to treatment. A titer that bounces from 1:2 to 1:4 would not cause concern, but if it went up by 2 steps (1:2 to 1:4 to 1:8) that would be worrisome.