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Treponema pallidum Antibody, IFA (CSF)
Test CodeTPA.CSF
Alias/See Also
FTA CSF
CPT Codes
86780
Preferred Specimen
1 mL CSF collected in a sterile, leak-proof container
Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Instructions
Note: Although this assay may be used to detect treponemal antibody in CSF, the VDRL is the recommended method. For the diagnosis of neurosyphilis, all serum and CSF tests for syphilis should be evaluated in conjunction with clinical presentation.
Transport Container
1 mL Cerebral Spinal Fluid in sterile, leakproof container.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Grossly hemolyzed • Lipemic • Icteric samples
Methodology
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Fri; Report available: 1-4 days
Reference Range
Non-Reactive
Clinical Significance
This immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for T pallidum antibody, also called the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption assay (FTA-ABS), may aid in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. However, the preferred initial test for neurosyphilis evaluation is the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [1].
Neurosyphilis is a form of syphilis in which T pallidum invades the central nervous system [2]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends testing for neurosyphilis in syphilis patients with neurologic signs and symptoms and those with tertiary or ocular syphilis, using CSF and serologic studies [1].
No single laboratory test can diagnose neurosyphilis in all cases. CSF VDRL testing is specific, but not sensitive, for neurosyphilis. Therefore, if VDRL is negative in a patient with neurologic signs and symptoms, but there is serologic evidence of syphilis and an abnormal CSF cell count or protein result, additional testing with CSF T pallidum IFA may be useful. Neurosyphilis is very unlikely in patients with negative CSF T pallidum IFA results [1].
Treponema pallidum Antibody, IFA, CSF is a qualitative test (no titer is reported). Patients with a reactive result tend to continue to have reactive results throughout their lives, although some (15%-20%) treated during primary infection become nonreactive 2 to 3 years after treatment [1].
This test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2015;64:1-140. Accessed December 13, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/syphilis.htm
2. Tille, PM. The spirochetes. In: Bailey and Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology. 13th ed. Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:535-539.
Neurosyphilis is a form of syphilis in which T pallidum invades the central nervous system [2]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends testing for neurosyphilis in syphilis patients with neurologic signs and symptoms and those with tertiary or ocular syphilis, using CSF and serologic studies [1].
No single laboratory test can diagnose neurosyphilis in all cases. CSF VDRL testing is specific, but not sensitive, for neurosyphilis. Therefore, if VDRL is negative in a patient with neurologic signs and symptoms, but there is serologic evidence of syphilis and an abnormal CSF cell count or protein result, additional testing with CSF T pallidum IFA may be useful. Neurosyphilis is very unlikely in patients with negative CSF T pallidum IFA results [1].
Treponema pallidum Antibody, IFA, CSF is a qualitative test (no titer is reported). Patients with a reactive result tend to continue to have reactive results throughout their lives, although some (15%-20%) treated during primary infection become nonreactive 2 to 3 years after treatment [1].
This test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2015;64:1-140. Accessed December 13, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/syphilis.htm
2. Tille, PM. The spirochetes. In: Bailey and Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology. 13th ed. Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:535-539.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA |
| 33608 Ortega Highway |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042 |
