Korean J Dermatol.  1984 Aug;22(4):375-380.

Serologic Tests for Syphilis : Comparison of a Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Test (TPHA) with the VDRL and FTA - ABS Tests

• Lee JB
• Han SW
• Lee SN
• Cho CK

Abstract

On a total 375 sera with reactive results on VDRL and/or FTA-ABS test(s), derived from severance Hospital, qualitative and quantitative TPHA tests were carried out. The objectives of the present study were to compare the result of VDRL, FTA-ABS and TPHA teats in different syphilis stages, and to as sess the suitability of the TPHA test as a screening test for syphilis. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The sensitivity of VDRL test was poor compared with TPHA and FTA-ABS tests except in secondary syphilis. 2. The FTA-ABS test(10Qp,) was more sensitive than the TPHA test(86g) in primary syphilis, but it is time consuming and costly. 3 The TPHA titers were relatively low in primary syphilis. 4, Below 1: 32Q in TPHA titer, the percentage of sera from patients tested over 1 year(64%) after the completion of treatment was higher than within 1 year(41%). The TPHA test showed 77%. agreement with VDRL test and 89% agreement with FTA-ABS test. The VDRL test is easy to perform and economic, but it showed poor effeetiveness as screening test for the detection of syphilis. On the other hand the TPHA test had a wide spectrum of reactivity in different stages of syphilis and was easy to perform. So on the basis of the results presented, we concluded that the TPHA test provides a very effective screen for syphilis.

MeSH Terms

Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption Test
Hand
Hemagglutination Tests*
Hemagglutination*
Humans
Mass Screening
Serologic Tests*
Syphilis*
Treponema pallidum*
Treponema*