A STUDY OF THE PROPERTIES OF SORBENT, THE REAGENT EMPLOYED IN THE FLUORESCENT TREPONEMAL ANTIBODY-ABSORPTION TEST

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Abstract
Hardy, P. H., Jr. and E. E. Nell (Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. 21205). A study of the properties of sorbent, the reagent employed in the fluorescent treponemol antibody-absorption test. Am J Epidemiol 96: 141–152, 1972.—Several commercial sorbent preparations were studied to determine what physical and immunologic properties might be responsible for the action of this reagent in the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test. No preparation possessed an antigenic component reactive with syphilitic sera. Antigens demonstrable with homologous (anti-Reiter treponeme) antiserum were present but these varied both in quality and quantity from one preparation to another. No immunologic basis could be found for the action of sorbent on the FTA reaction and no specific immunologic activity could be demonstrated; it affected specific as well as cross-reacting antibodies. All sorbent preparations were found to be hypertonic with osmolalities ranging from 3 to 5 times that of physiologic (0.15 M) NaCl solution, and a sorbent-like action could be achieved with NaCl solutions of equivalent osmolality. Some selective activity of sorbent was observed but this could be attributed to the class of FTA reactive immunoglobulin predominating in a given serum; antibodies of IgG type were greatly affected by sorbent whereas IgM antibodies were relatively resistant. It was concluded from these findings that sorbent does not render the FTA-ABS test specific. Since cross-reacting antibodies predominate in the serum of most individuals with syphilis it was also concluded that this test, like many other serologic tests for syphilis, reacts primarily with antibodies that can and sometimes may be induced by antigens other than those of Treponema pallidum.

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