Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Treponemal Tests for Syphiliscontinued Immunology Review 399

False positives

Other

ANTIBODY CAPTURE ENZYME-

LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT

ASSAY (ELISA)

Similar to other treponemal tests.

Can be automated. Used for screening

& for confirmation of reactive nontre-

ponemal test. When used for screen-

ing, reactives should be confirmed

with nontreponemal test (reverse

sequence screening), followed by

TP-PA or FTA-ABS if nontreponemal

test is nonreactive. IgM capture assay

for Dx of congenital syphilis.

FLUORESCENT TREPONEMAL

ANTIBODY ABSORPTION

(FTA-ABS)

Fewer than nontreponemal

tests. Reactive with other

treponemal diseases, e.g.,

yaws, pinta

Sorbent removes nonspecific

antibodies. Used to confirm re-

active nontreponemal test. Not

good for treatment monitoring

TREPONEMA PALLIDUM

PARTICLE AGGLUTINATION

(TP-PA)

Fewer than nontreponemal

tests

Sorbent removes nonspecific

antibodies. Used to confirm

reactive nontreponemal

test. Not good for treatment

monitoring