Syphilis

A nonreactive resullt does not exlude the possibility of exposure to or infection with syphilis. T pallidum antibodies may be undetectable in some stages of the infection and in some clinical conditions.

SYPHIL

Syphilis antibody with reflex, T pallidum antibodies

Serum (red top) tube 
 

0.5 mL

Serum ( serum separator tube SST)

Normal procedures for collecting and storing serum samples.

Serum (red top or serum separator tube SST)

Room Temperature

Room Temperature:  7 days

Gross Hemolysis

Daily

Daily

Specimens that contain...	Have an insignificant effect on the assay up to...
Hemoglobin	500 mg/dL
Triglycerides (intralipids)	100 mg/dL
Cholesterol	400 mg/dL
Bilirubin	40 mg/dL
Protein (serum albumin)	11 g/dL
Hyper-IgG	30 mg/mL
Biotin	3500n/mL

 

Nonreactive

A reactive result will reflex to confirmatory testing to Quest reference lab.

Syphilis is primarily transmitted via sexual contact, but can also be transmitted from mother to fetus. Syphilis is caused by the spirochete T. pallidum, which has never been successfully cultured in artificial media. Syphilis infections are classified into early (infectious) and late (non-infectious) stages. Early syphilis may be further divided into primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. The signs and symptoms of syphilis are numerous; before the advent of serological testing, precise diagnosis was very difficult. In fact, the disease was often confused with other diseases, particularly in its tertiary stage. If not treated, syphilis can cause serious effects such as damage to the heart, aorta, brain, eyes, and bones. In some cases, these effects can be fatal. Therefore, the serological diagnosis of syphilis is very important.