What does a positive FTA-ABS mean?

What does a positive FTA-ABS mean?

A positive FTA-ABS is often a sign of a syphilis infection. This test result will remain positive for life even if syphilis has been adequately treated. Therefore, it cannot be used to monitor the treatment of syphilis or determine that you have active syphilis.

What type of test is the FTA-ABS test for syphilis?

The fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test is a blood test that checks for the presence of antibodies to Treponema pallidum bacteria. These bacteria cause syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that’s spread through direct contact with syphilitic sores.

Does FTA-ABS stay positive after treatment?

The FTA-ABS should not be used to follow treatment or establish reinfection since specific treponemal tests may remain reactive for life. FTA-ABS test for syphilis has been reported to be falsely positive in patients with diseases associated with abnormally high globulin concentrations.

How do you read syphilis test results?

A positive result on the second method confirms the screening result and the affected person is diagnosed with syphilis. A negative result on the treponemal test may mean that the initial RPR or VDRL test was falsely positive. Further testing and investigation may be done to determine the cause of the false positive.

What causes false-positive FTA-ABS?

False-positive serum FTA-ABS occurs in a variety of diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (with a weak and/or beaded pattern), relapsing fever, Lyme disease (Magnarelli et al., 1987), yaws, pinta, leptospirosis, and rat bite fever (Tuffanelli et al., 1967).

What does syphilis reactive mean?

Interpretation of reactive tests. A reactive treponemal test most likely indicates infection by T pallidum but is not sufficient to determine disease activity and make treatment decisions (table 1). A reactive test can be seen in patients with a history of syphilis who has been treated.

What does non reactive mean on syphilis?

A negative or nonreactive result means you don’t likely have syphilis. Positive results are given as a ratio in titers. This tells your healthcare provider the amount of antibodies in your blood.

What are the three stages of syphilis?

Stages of Syphilis

• Primary stage. During the primary stage, a sore ( chancre) that is usually painless develops at the site where the bacteria entered the body.
• Secondary stage.
• Latent (hidden) stage.
• Relapses of secondary syphilis.
• Tertiary (late) stage.

What autoimmune disorders can cause a false-positive syphilis test?

False-positive result may be seen in certain acute or chronic infections (e.g., tuberculosis, hepatitis, malaria, early HIV infection), autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), injection drug use, pregnancy, and following vaccination (e.g., smallpox, MMR).

What does positive syphilis test mean?

If your screening test results are positive, it means you have antibodies that may be from a syphilis infection. You’ll need another test to confirm whether or not you have syphilis. If your follow-up test confirms you have syphilis, you will probably be treated with penicillin, a type of antibiotic.

What can cause false-positive FTA-ABS?