Specificity of the FTA-ABS Test for Syphilis

Mackey, Dan M.

doi:10.1001/jama.1969.03150220099011

Cited by 44 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Chi-square analysis of the normal donor samples and the ANAor RF-reactive samples showed that there was a significant difference between the observed results of the Western blot assay and FTA-ABS (DS). The nonspecific nature of the FTA-ABS (DS) test noted in this study has been reported by other investigators (2,6,8,12,14,16,22). In summary, the specificity of the Western blot assay appears to be better than that of FTA-ABS (DS) for the number of samples tested.…”

Section: Statessupporting

confidence: 83%

“…FTA-ABS is more sensitive in later stages, with 99 to 100% reactivity during the secondary stage and 95 to 100% during the latent and late stages (14). A number of investigations have shown that falsepositive FTA-ABS reactions may occur in (i) patients with increased levels of gamma globulin or antinuclear antibody (ANA) (8,12,16,22), (ii) pregnant patients (2), and (iii) patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (12).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of a Treponema pallidum western immunoblot assay as a confirmatory test for syphilis

et al. 1992

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Tests for the detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum are recommended for the confirmation of reactive nontreponemal test results and the accurate diagnosis of syphilis. The present-day use of Western blot (immunoblot) technology for the diagnosis of retroviruses prompted the development and evaluation of a Western blot assay with whole-cell T. pallidum as the antigen. The assay detected antibodies in syphilitic serum or plasma from dilutions of specimens incubated overnight with test strips. A test was considered positive when at least three of four major antigens having molecular masses of 15.5, 17, 44.5, and 47 kDa were detected. The Western blot assay had 93.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity for clinically defined samples. The Western blot assay was compared with double-staining fluorescent trepoiemal antibody absorption [FTA-ABS (DS)], which had a sensitivity and a specificity of 91.7 and 92.0%, respectively. Dilution series studies of syphilis-positive specimens indicated that the Western blot assay has an endpoint of reactivity at least 3 to 4 serial dilutions greater than that for FTA-ABS (DS). Overall, the >95% agreement between the Western blot assay and FTA-ABS (DS) for clinically defined specimens indicates that the sensitivity of the Western blot assay is equal to or greater than that of FTA-ABS (DS). The Western blot assay demonstrated no false-positive or equivocal reactivities for nonsyphilitic specimens, including normal specimens (both plasma and serum), biological false-positives, and specimens with elevated gamma globulin or antinuclear antibody. We conclude that the high sensitivity and specificity of the T. pallidum Western blot assay, together with its simplicity and objectivity, make it a good confirmatory test for syphilis.

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Section: Statessupporting

confidence: 83%

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confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Treponema pallidum western immunoblot assay as a confirmatory test for syphilis

et al. 1992

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“…Typically, the rate for false-positive FTA-ABS results has been reported as ca. 1% in normal individuals (9,13,21,25). However, rates as high as 14 to 17% have been observed in hospitalized patients (1, 5, 9, 25), and it has been shown that the presence of abnormal globulins in the blood of diseased and elderly patients also correlates with increased incidence of FTA-ABS reactivity (30).…”

Section: Trial Trial Trialmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed (FTA-ABS) test is currently the most widely used test for serological confirmation of syphilis. Since the introduction of the FTA-ABS test in 1964 (18), a number of studies have demonstrated the value of the method for detection of specific antibody produced in response to infection by Treponema pallidum (1,5,6,9,13,21,25). Currently, a number of manufacturers produce FTA-ABS test kits consisting of frozen multiwell slides containing fixed T. pallidum organisms, sorbent, buffer solutions for slide rinses, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-human antibody produced in goats or rabbits, and reactive and nonspecific controls.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it was shown by other investigators that sorbent does not have an immunological action and that certain components of sterile growth medium, such as casein digests, can function as sorbent in the absence of treponemes (15,28,34). Despite this, the FTA-ABS test, using the Reiter treponeme suspension as sorbent, has gained wide acceptance and has been examined in a number of clinical investigations (3,5,6,9,13,21,25).…”

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Comparative evaluation of commercial fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test kits

Beebe¹,

Nouri²

1984

J Clin Microbiol

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We describe a comparative evaluation of commercial fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test kits, using 150 selected patient sera. The ability of the test kits to detect reactive sera varied from 82.5 to 95%; that for nonreactive sera varied from 80.9 to 96.4%. Reproducibility of reactive and nonreactive results, measured by between-assay and within-assay studies, averaged 42%. The results showed substantial variation in performance characteristics among the kits, with important clinical implications for the diagnosis of syphilis. We recommend the development of an immunological standard for use in the manufacture of fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test kits, with the goal of obtaining uniform performance characteristics among commercial test kits.

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Syphilis and Biologic False Positive Reactors Among Leprosy Patients

Scotti¹

1970

Arch Dermatol

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Specificity of the FTA-ABS Test for Syphilis

Cited by 44 publications

References 4 publications

Evaluation of a Treponema pallidum western immunoblot assay as a confirmatory test for syphilis

Evaluation of a Treponema pallidum western immunoblot assay as a confirmatory test for syphilis

Comparative evaluation of commercial fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed test kits

Syphilis and Biologic False Positive Reactors Among Leprosy Patients

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