Experiences with the Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Test for Syphilis (FTA Test)

Abstract
The problem of the proper evaluation of reactions in tests for syphilis has been steadily increasing. This increase, in part, is a result of the decrease in detectable clinical syphilis and the relative or real increase in so-called biologic false-positive reactions or BFPs. The Treponema Pallidum Immobilization test or TPI test of Nelson1 satisfied the need for a test which could distinguish, with a high degree of success, between true syphilitic and false-positive serologic tests for syphilis. The TPI test, however, is not readily available, is expensive and cannot be accomplished by other than highly-trained personnel. We were interested in a test which would give us the same information as the TPI test but for which all the reagents necessary for testing could be purchased at a reasonable price, and which could be performed by other than highly trained laboratory technicians. The results of the FTA test in a

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: