T pallidum Ab (FTA-Ab) (006379)

Overview:

Use: Confirm syphilis FTA antibodies should not be used to follow disease activity or response to treatment since fluorescence has no relation to disease activity. Also, antibody levels will remain elevated for life.

Methodology: Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA)

Limitations: False-positive results have been associated with increased or abnormal globulins, antinuclear antibodies, pregnancy, HSV infections, elevated acute-phase reactants, cold agglutinins, Mycoplasma antibodies, age older than 65, and drug addiction. As many as 2% of the general population may be falsely positive. Borderline results are inconclusive results and cannot be interpreted.