Syphilis Testing Flashcards
Causative agent of syphilis?
Treponema pallidum
Mode of transmission of syphilis?
Sex, Blood, and Placenta
The first diagnostic test for syphilis?
Wasserman Test
Treatment of syphilis back then used?
Heavy metals, like arsenic.
Treatment of syphilis nowadays use?
Penicillin
Stage of syphilis that form hard chancre?
Primary Syphilis
Stage of syphilis that form condylomata lata– wart
like lesions in moist areas of the body?
Secondary Syphilis
Stage of syphilis that has the absence of clinical symptoms?
Latent Syphilis
Stage of syphilis with gummas and neurosyphilis?
Tertirary Syphilis
This is also called the screening test done for syphilis?
Non-treponemal Tests
These are the two kinds of tests done to test for syphilis?
Non-treponemal and Treponemal Tests
This test is used to detect the presence of reagin?
Non-treponemal Test
This is an antibody formed against cardiolipin?
Reagin
This is a lipid material from damaged cells, usually caused by syphilis?
Cardiolipin
Principle of traditional non-treponemal test?
Flocculation Reactions
These are the types of non-treponemal serological tests?
Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)
Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
Toluidine Red Unheated Serum Test (TRUST)
Unheated Serum Reagin (USR)
Reagin Screen Test (RST)
This is the most common non-treponemal test?
Rapid Plasma Reagin
What must be done to the serum before a VDRL test?
VDRL uses 56 degree heat for 30 minutes to inactivate serum
Why does a CSF not require heating for VDRL test?
No complement in the CSF
What is the reagent used to inactivate serum in RPR?
Choline Chloride
This is used to make the test easier to read in RPR test?
Charcoal
This type of test is also called the confirmatory test for syphilis?
Treponemal Test
This test detects the antibody directed towards T. pallidum?
Trepoemal Tests
Treponemal test is usually the one that becomes (?) before non-treponemal tests?
Positive
Once an individual becomes reactive, the individual remains so for life, why is this the case?
Presence of IgG
Cross reacctivity happen in what other treponemal diseases?
Yaws and Pinta
This test is developed in detecting specific anti-treponemal antibodies?
Treponema pallidum Immobilization Test (TPI)
These are the two kinds of treponemal tests?
Treponema pallidum Immobilization Test (TPI)
Fluoresence Treponemal Antibody Absorbance Test (FTA-ABS)
What is the reagent and specimen used in the treponema pallidum immobilization test?
Patient serum
Rabbit chancre
Complement
How to report TPI tests?
50% positive
20% negative
20-50% doubtful
Does FTA-ABS need serum inactivation via heat?
Yes
This is a sorbent used in FTA-ABS consisting of non-pathogenic treponemes?
Reiter Strain
What is the principle behind the Reiter strain?
Removes corss reactivity with other treponemes other than T. pallidum
This is a slide where T. pallidum is fixed, used for the FTA-ABS test?
Nichols Strain
Why can CSF be used in FTA-ABS?
Due to Tertiary Syphilis or Neurosyphilis
How does FTA-ABS report its findings?
0 Negative
1+ Minimally Reactive (Repeat 1-2 wks)
2-4+ Positive
RPR - Reactive
FTA - Reactive
Positive for Syphilis
RPR - Reactive
FTA - Nonreactive
Negative for Syphilis
RPR - Nonreactive
FTA- Reactive
Late, Latent or Previous Syphilis
VDRL - Reactive
FTA - Reactive
Neurosyphilis
What are the reason for a false positive result in syphilis testing?
Leprosy
Lupus Erythematosus
Infectious mononucleosis
Malaria Vaccine
Viral Pneumonia
Pregnancy (rare)
Narcotic addiction
What are the reason for a false negative result in syphilis testing?
Technical Errors
Prozone Effect
Postzone Effect
What is a test that is a macroscopic non-treponema flocculation test that is used to detect and quantify reagin?
RPR Slide Test
These are the reagents used for RPR slide test?
RPR Antigen
RPR High Positive Control
RPR Low Positive Control
RPR Negative Control
What are the specimens used for the RPR slide test?
Serum (Heated or Unheated)
EDTA Plasma (No Hemolysis)
Unlipemic Samples
How long are serum samples for RPR test stable?
5 days at 2-8 degrees C
How long are plasma samples for RPR test stable?
24 hours at 2-8 degrees C
What interpretattion of the RPR slide test is indicated by large or small floccules in the center or the periphery of the test circle,
Reactive
What interpretattion of the RPR slide test is with slight floccules present?
Minimally Reactive
What interpretattion of the RPR slide test is indicated by a smooth, even appearance with no floccules visible.
Non-reactive
