Serologic Tests For Syphilis Flashcards
A protein found in most treponemes both saprophytic and pathogenic.
Common antigen
Restricted to one species
Specific Antigen
About 90% of infected are seropositive by what week of infection?
3rd week
The primary stage of syphilis is associated with a lesion called ______.
Chancre
Originally a liver intract from fetuses with congenital syphilis that contained large numbers of treponemes. This antigen was later found to be present in normal liver and other tissues, especially cardiac muscle.
The Wassermann antigen
A rash occurs 6-8 weeks after the appearance of w chancre
Secondary stage
Period where clinical signs and symptoms are absent but antibody will be present. The infectd individual usually isn’t contagious and transmission is restricted to rare cases between mother and fetus
Latent period
No symptoms but serology test remain positive
Latent period
Lesions appear 3-10 or more years after the primary stage
Tertiary stage
_________ is a non-specific, non-treponemal antibody found in infections caused by T. palladium
Reagin (anti-cardiolipin)
The reaction between reagin and cardiolipin is manifested as clumping to form visible masses and is known as a process called _________
Flocculation
Biological false positives can be caused by:
Febrile illnesses
Chronic diseases
Autoimmune diseases
Two types of reagin tests
VDRL (veneral disease research laboratory)
RPR (rapid plasma reagin)
Detects reagin in serum and CSF
VDRL
Uses a suspension of specially prepared charcoal particles to allow macroscopic reading and allows the plasma to be tested without preliminary heating.
Rapid plasma reagin